In retrial openings, prosecutors portray Harvey Weinstein as powerful mogul who ‘preyed’ on women

[ad_1] Manhattan prosecutors painted a scathing portrait of Harvey Weinstein at the start of his sexual abuse retrial Wednesday, presenting the previous Hollywood mogul as a serial predator who wielded his energy like a weapon towards girls.

Assistant District Legal professional Shannon Lucey described Weinstein as an leisure trade kingmaker who “held unfettered energy for over 30 years” and “preyed” on girls — together with the three accusers whose allegations led to the legal expenses on the middle of the trial.

He “wished their our bodies,” Lucey mentioned, referring to the alleged victims Mimi Haley, Kaja Sokola and Jessica Mann.

Weinstein has pleaded not responsible to 2 counts of legal sexual act within the first diploma and one depend of rape within the third diploma. He has vehemently denied all allegations of sexual misconduct courting again a long time.

Lucey, in her opening assertion, described Weinstein’s alleged sexual abuse of the three accusers in stark and oftentimes graphic phrases. She recounted allegations that Weinstein violently pressured himself on them and ignored their pleas to cease.

Lucey mentioned Weinstein, “a titan within the trade,” drew within the girls by providing to debate their careers. However the accusers discovered that he was after one thing else fully.

“He knew how addictive Hollywood goals have been,” Lucey mentioned. “He knew how the guarantees of success labored. He strung them together with guarantees of careers, letters to assist, components in motion pictures... He merely didn't take no for a solution and, if he was instructed no, he acquired what he wished by drive.”

Haley, a former “Undertaking Runway” manufacturing assistant, and Sokola, a former mannequin, allege Weinstein forcibly carried out oral intercourse on them in separate incidents in 2006. Mann, a former aspiring actress, alleges Weinstein raped her in 2013.

The accusers found they have been “no match for the person who walked purple carpets and rubbed elbows with the well-known,” Lucey mentioned. “They stayed quiet for years,” she added, out of “their worry of what he would possibly do to them.”

Weinstein’s lead lawyer, Arthur Aidalia, forcefully pushed again towards Lucey’s account of occasions in his opening assertion. “What she mentioned to you isn't proof,” Aidalia instructed jurors at the start of his remarks.

Aidalia implored jurors to not make untimely judgements about Weinstein’s character or habits, drawing on an analogy from his consumer’s former occupation: “You don’t choose a film by the preview.”

“It's worthwhile to learn the entire ebook and watch the entire film and put all of it in context,” Aidalia mentioned, including that his staff believes “there are affordable doubts” within the prosecution’s case.

He went on to argue that Weinstein’s sexual encounters with the accusers have been “transactional,” characterizing them as “mates with advantages” preparations that have been “mutually useful” and “consensual.”

Within the case of the three girls on the root of the costs, Aidalia added, “the casting sofa isn't against the law scene.”

Harvey Weinstein seems in Manhattan Felony Courtroom on April 22, 2025. Angela Weiss / AFP - Getty Pictures The jury of seven girls and 5 males appeared to hear intently throughout opening statements. In an announcement, Weinstein’s spokesman, Juda Engelmayer, mentioned his consumer’s staff believes “the jury chosen is one that may assess the details with readability and impartiality.”

“We're hopeful that this time, the authorized course of will rise above noise and narrative and permit Harvey Weinstein the truthful trial he’s lengthy been denied. He deserves the possibility to clear his identify and protect a legacy that has been overshadowed by deeply flawed and deceptive accusations,” Engelmayer mentioned.

Weinstein’s retrial arrives a 12 months after New York’s highest courtroom overturned the Oscar-winning producer’s conviction on third-degree rape in a 2020 case. The courtroom discovered the trial choose had improperly allowed testimony based mostly on allegations that weren't a part of the case.

Haley and Mann’s allegations have been a part of the primary New York trial. Sokola’s allegations are a brand new aspect. Weinstein was indicted in September on expenses associated to her claims.

Weinstein has remained in jail as a result of he was convicted in 2022 of one other rape in Los Angeles and sentenced to 16 years. The previous producer’s legal professionals are interesting that conviction.

In recent times, Weinstein has confronted varied well being points, together with a prognosis of bone marrow most cancers. He arrives at courtroom in a wheelchair.

Weinstein and his brother, Bob, as soon as lorded over Hollywood. Miramax, their first distribution label, launched seminal movies corresponding to “The Crying Recreation” and “Pulp Fiction.” Harvey Weinstein gained an Oscar as a producer of “Shakespeare in Love.” Within the early 2010s, the brothers’ second distribution agency scored greatest image wins for “The King’s Speech” and “The Artist.”

Weinstein’s reign got here crashing down in 2017 after The New York Occasions and The New Yorker printed exposes detailing his alleged sample of sexual harassment and assault.

The publication of these articles made Weinstein’s accusers notice they not wanted to maintain of their “disgrace and ache,” Lucey mentioned, including: “They instantly realized they weren't alone, they might not be remoted or focused however can be taken significantly.

In all, greater than 80 girls have accused Weinstein of misconduct. He has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing and mentioned his sexual encounters have been consensual.