Former US film producer Harvey Weinstein was found guilty of rape and other sex crimes by a Los Angeles jury on Monday. The 70-year-old former film tycoon faces up to 24 years in prison.
In Los Angeles, the jury decided Harvey Weinstein Jane Doe 1 is accused by a woman of rape, forced oral sex, and other sex crimes.
A jury was unable to reach a verdict on several counts, including allegations of rape against Jennifer Seibel Newsom, wife of California Gov. Gavin Newsom, and a former Italian model and actress who accused documentary filmmaker Jennifer Newsom of raping the then-producer. “Her (Newsom’s) intense and emotional confession that she was raped by Weinstein in a hotel room in 2005 brought about the most dramatic moments of the trial,” the AP said.
Harvey WeinsteinEtienne Laurent/Getty Images
Deputy District Attorney Marlene Martinez insisted in her closing speech that it was time to end Weinstein’s reign of terror. “Time has come for the ruler to be brought to justice,” he argued.
According to Weinstein’s defenders, the two women’s accounts of their encounters with Weinstein are completely false. The other two, they argued, were 100 percent “consensual” interactions. But later they changed their minds. – Anger is not real. And tears don’t make the truth, said Alan Jackson, Weinstein’s lawyer.
Weinstein is already serving 23 years in prison
The 70-year-old once-powerful movie mogul, convicted of similar crimes in New York, is now serving two years of a 23-year sentence. He is innocent in both cases.
The AP points out that Weinstein’s New York conviction was not overturned on appeal, but the case will go to the state’s Supreme Court next year. Also, an award following a California arbitration decision may be appealed.
Main photo source: Etienne Laurent/Getty Images