I’ve been quietly and inconsistently following Harvey Weinstein’s trial over the past month or so. I’ve paid attention long enough to see that Weinstein’s lawyer Donna Rotunno is a piece of trash, and that Weinstein himself apparently has deformed genitals, at least according to one of the women Weinstein assaulted. I believed that the tide had turned on Weinstein specifically, and all of his lawyer’s victim-blaming would be for nothing. I was sort of right? While the jury didn’t find Weinstein guilty on all the charges, they did find him guilty on two rape/assault charges:
A New York City jury reached a verdict in the trial of movie mogul Harvey Weinstein, who faced charges of multiple sex crimes including rape that hinged on accusations by two women who said Weinstein assaulted them on separate occasions in 2006 and 2013. On Monday, the jury found Weinstein guilty of criminal sexual act in the first degree and rape in the third degree, the New York Times reports. He was acquitted on three other charges.
Although more than 80 women have claimed they were victimized by Weinstein, according to The New York Times, the charges in the Manhattan trial were focused on only two women: former production assistant Miriam “Mimi” Haleyi and aspiring actress Jessica Mann. Another four whose who alleged incidents occurring outside the reach or time frame to bring charges in New York were put on the stand by prosecutors who hoped the women’s experiences would illustrate a pattern of predatory behavior by Weinstein.
The verdict, reached Monday morning by a jury of five women and seven men in State Supreme Court in Manhattan, means Weinstein could be sent to prison when he is sentenced at a later date. Weinstein specifically was charged with two counts of rape, one count of criminal sexual act and two counts of predatory sexual assault. The jury found Weinstein guilty on two counts of criminal sexual assault, but not guilty on three others, including predatory sexual assault.
After the verdict, Weinstein went into police custody, where he will await sentencing. He was apparently stunned by the verdict, according to the NYT’s reporter, and Weinstein said “but I’m innocent” several times to his lawyers. Donna Rotunno went before the cameras and claimed that it was a “bittersweet day” and “Harvey is very strong. Harvey is unbelievably strong. He took it like a man. He knows that we will continue to fight for him and knows that this is not over.” Took it like a man? Gross. She also said that of course they would appeal and whatever.
Ronan Farrow says that LA prosecutors are moving forward with their case against Weinstein too:
New: Los Angeles prosecutors are moving forward with their separate case against Weinstein—which could include a more expansive group of witnesses and lead to greater sentencing exposure. Paul Thompson, the LA Deputy District Attorney, tells me: “We are definitely proceeding.”
— Ronan Farrow (@RonanFarrow) February 24, 2020
Photos courtesy of WENN and Backgrid.
So strong while milking that back surgery for all it’s worth. Pathetic piece of human trash.
Yes.
And don’t get me started with his lawyer.
She is a truly horrible person. I don’t know how she’s able to live with herself.
Took it so well that he had “chest pains” & had to be rushed to the hospital. Anything to get out of going to jail.
Given the charges against him, he should never have been out on bond. He is a serial rapist and a danger to society.
As soon as the verdict was read, I said to my friend “How long do you think he’ll wait until he complains of chest pains?” He is a piece of garbage.
He took it like a man??? what???? what an appalling thing to say.
Right?!? He seems to like taking things.. often without consent thus the trial!
As a black woman I would like to say to all the Snoop Doggs and Nick Cannons of the world who would use the whole “What about Harvey Weinstein?” excuse to now STFU and stop using that as a deflection from your own bad behavior.
hahahahahaha…I saw this ALL OVER Facebook/Insta yesterday from a LOT of black authors/bloggers/etc. people were saying that sh*t even while he was on trial! “but but but what about?”…”HE’S ON TRIAL RIGHT NOW, YOU CAPING MFer.”
Thank you. I’m genuinely concerned that the conversation will become, “But Bill got a worse sentence, and Kelly’s going to get a worse sentence than Weinstein because…” It’s the hijacking of legitimate arguments about institutional oppression for the benefit of men who have kidnapped and raped black girls and women, and it is infuriating. I’ve lost so much respect for *family* members who make these kinds of arguments, and as an assault survivor myself, it’s just a slap whenever I have to interact with it.
THIS!!!!!
+1.
You love to see it.
The lawyer is just appalling. She was probably hoping there will be one sexist rape apologist with the attitude “innocent men are being lynched in the era of MeToo” of those 7 men on the jury. And that was all they were probably aiming for. Ha! It is a great day for everyone in power abusing power to realise there is no 100 percent safety net for them
His lawyer is the worst. I am a lawyer and I strongly believe that everyone is entitled to a vigorous defense – the state has to PROVE that you are guilty. BUT this woman is a disgrace to the gender and the bar. I listened to an interview with her where she basically said that these women had to take responsibility for going to the hotel rooms with men. Then when she was asked if she had ever been sexually assaulted, she said ‘no, because I’ve never put myself in a position to be assaulted’. She is the absolute worst.
From what I read, there is now a higher chance of conviction in LA after the New York conviction. So while it’s disappointing that he was acquitted of the more serious charges, there’s more damage coming to him down the road. Hopefully LA convicts, and the cumulative sentences see him spend a good many years in prison before dropping dead.
Look how new the tires on that walker look. I’ll bet anything the only time he’s used it is to go to court. What happened to the one with the tennis balls Harvey? What a pathetic dirtbag.
He spent his life terrorizing, intimidating and humiliating women AND men. I’ll be interested to see how he does in prison.
He doesn’t need it. It’s so BS.
He’s a terrible actor. Look at him up there trynna squint like Clint. (Who is also a terrible person, but a much better actor.)
And his attorney can go kick rocks. These women who defend these men… well… 53% of white women WHO VOTED voted for the current regime. I will never understand it.
#COMPLICIT
He took it like a man? WTF does that even mean?
Is faking needing a walker taking it like a man?
Maybe if he was more of a real HUMAN BEING, he would have been able to get through his career without making it one long history of sexually assaulting people.
they should investigate the agency of actors caa, since it was their favorite …
After saying “innocent” He apparently also asked, “how could this happen in America?”
Lol… rich old white dudes can’t handle being held accountable for their terrible behavior. Like, literally, his heart couldn’t handle it. Peak 2020 and it’s not even March yet!
+1
Could not agree more, that statement was a caricature of a caricature. Though, To be fair America has a long way to go on fairness and justice issues, especially with sexual assault victims. I assume he felt he would manipulate justice like so many other gross old white men. It makes it that much more impressive to me that the jury held him to account. Like a bright flickering light in so much darkness in our politics/justice/law right now.
This
At the time of sentencing the judge will look for, “admission, apology, contrition.” Calling out, “I’m innocent,” will keep his sentence in the medium to high range. Notice he has the great defender Cosby on his side.
He’ll never get what he deserves.
No, he won’t. And he’ll never accept that he did anything wrong.
What white man in HW does. They all use their money and power to stay just that or get them out of trouble or scandal. Pitt, Affleck Ben and Casey, and all the rest get exposed then fall on a pity train.
Funny how all of a sudden all these ‘men’ are sick and too old when they get accused of something.
One word GOOD! Get him in LA
What about that forensic psychologist from the prosecution that just happened to get hit by a car recently? It seems he doesn’t intend to go down without a fight, or Weinstein and his agents still think they’re entitled to behave this way and face no consequences. Are there even any good people in Hollywood?