Arthur Aidala, the lawyer representing Harvey Weinstein, expressed his satisfaction with the overturning of Weinstein’s rape conviction in New York, calling it a victory for justice and legal precedent. The New York Court of Appeals cited prejudiced proceedings as the reason for the reversal, leading to plans for a retrial.
Aidala, who led Weinstein’s legal team during the appellate process, spoke to the media after the decision was announced, emphasizing his belief that Weinstein did not receive a fair trial. He highlighted the importance of upholding legal precedent, stating, “You can’t throw out 100 years of legal precedent because someone is unpopular.”
The court’s decision to overturn Weinstein’s 2020 rape conviction was based on the judge’s alleged bias during the trial, including allowing testimonies from women that were outside the scope of the case. Aidala revealed that Weinstein was informed of the ruling while in prison and expressed gratitude towards his legal team.
Aidala recalled Weinstein’s consistent assertion of innocence since their first meeting, stating that Weinstein has always maintained his innocence and is prepared to testify in a retrial. The lawyer also mentioned that the decision to proceed with a new trial or dismiss the case now rests with the district attorney.
Overall, Aidala’s remarks following the overturning of Weinstein’s conviction shed light on the legal complexities of the case and the upcoming legal proceedings that will determine Weinstein’s fate.