In a shocking turn of events, the rape conviction of disgraced movie producer Harvey Weinstein has been overturned by New York’s highest court. The New York Court of Appeals, in a scathing 4-3 opinion, ruled that the trial judge had erroneously admitted testimony of uncharged, alleged prior sexual acts against individuals not involved in the underlying crimes.
Weinstein, once a powerful figure in the entertainment industry, was convicted of sex offenses in Los Angeles and sentenced to 16 years in prison there. However, due to the overturned conviction in New York, he will not be released but instead transferred to the custody of prison authorities in California.
The Weinstein team, who had been anxiously awaiting a ruling, expressed surprise at the decision but stated that they are studying the ruling. Weinstein’s spokesperson, Juda Engelmayer, told ABC News that they were happily surprised by the outcome.
Weinstein’s downfall began with an explosive New York Times article in October 2017, which reported that he had reached settlements with multiple women who accused him of sexual misconduct over the years. This revelation sparked a wave of accusations from other women, leading to the #MeToo movement that targeted prominent figures in Hollywood and beyond for sexual misconduct.
Despite the overturned conviction in New York, Weinstein remains a convicted sex offender in California. The 72-year-old producer was found guilty in February 2020 of criminal sexual assault and third-degree rape, but acquitted of the most serious charges of predatory sexual assault and first-degree rape. The ruling has sent shockwaves through the entertainment industry and beyond, reigniting debates about power, abuse, and justice.