Harvey Weinstein convicted of top charge in #MeToo sex crimes retrial
The film mogul was acquitted of another charge, while jurors in New York remained unable to reach a verdict on a third charge
Former film mogul Harvey Weinstein was convicted on Wednesday of one of the top charges in his sex crimes retrial but acquitted of another, and jurors were as yet unable to reach a verdict on a third charge.
The split verdict meted out a measure of vindication to his accusers and prosecutors – but also to Weinstein – after the landmark case was thrown into limbo.
The partial verdict came after an extraordinary day in which the jury foreman expressed dismay to the judge about how deliberations were going and Weinstein himself urged the judge to halt the trial, declaring: “It’s just not fair.”
“My life is on the line, and you know what? It’s not fair,” the former Hollywood heavy-hitter declared after making an unusual request to address the court. “It’s time, it’s time, it’s time, it’s time to say this trial is over.”
He spoke before learning there was a verdict on any of the charges.
Weinstein’s initial conviction five years ago seemed to cement the downfall of one of Hollywood’s most powerful men in a pivotal moment for the #MeToo movement. But that conviction was overturned last year, and the case was sent back for retrial in the same Manhattan courthouse.