New York appeal court overturns Harvey Weinstein’s 2020 rape conviction from landmark #MeToo trial
- Ruling by state Court of Appeals that has ordered a new trial reopens painful chapter in the US’ reckoning with sexual misconduct by powerful figures
- The reversal is the second major #MeToo setback in the last two years, after Bill Cosby’s conviction was overturned
The state Court of Appeals ruling reopens a painful chapter in America’s reckoning with sexual misconduct by powerful figures – an era that began in 2017 with a flood of allegations against Weinstein.
The court ordered a new trial. His accusers could again be forced to relive their traumas on the witness box.
Weinstein, 72, has been serving a 23-year sentence in a New York prison following his conviction on charges of criminal sex act for forcibly performing oral sex on a TV and film production assistant in 2006 and rape in the third degree for an attack on an aspiring actress in 2013.
Weinstein’s lawyers argued Judge James Burke’s rulings in favour of the prosecution turned the trial into “1-800-GET-HARVEY”.
The reversal of Weinstein’s conviction is the second major #MeToo setback in the last two years, after the US Supreme Court refused to hear an appeal of a Pennsylvania court decision to throw out Bill Cosby’s sexual assault conviction.
Weinstein’s conviction stood for more than four years, heralded by activists and advocates as a milestone achievement, but dissected just as quickly by his lawyers and, later, the Court of Appeals when it heard arguments on the matter in February.