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Harvey Weinstein's 2020 Conviction Overturned, Paving Way for New Trial
Stunning Reversal in Sexual Crime Case
Court Finds Errors in Weinstein's Trial
In a stunning reversal, New York's highest court on Thursday overturned Harvey Weinstein's 2020 conviction on felony sex crime charges. The state Court of Appeals found that the trial judge made several errors that deprived Weinstein of a fair trial.
"We conclude that the trial court deprived the defendant of a fair trial by admitting prejudicial and unreliable hearsay testimony," the court wrote in its opinion.
Weinstein's conviction stemmed from a trial in which he was accused of raping and sexually assaulting multiple women. The jury found him guilty of two counts of predatory sexual assault, one count of criminal sexual act in the first degree, and one count of rape in the third degree.
Weinstein's lawyers argued that the trial judge erred in allowing the prosecution to introduce testimony from six other women who accused Weinstein of sexual misconduct. They said this testimony was prejudicial and irrelevant, and that it unfairly swayed the jury against Weinstein.
The Court of Appeals agreed, finding that the trial judge "improperly admitted hearsay testimony that was both prejudicial and unreliable." The court also found that the trial judge erred in refusing to allow Weinstein's lawyers to present expert testimony on the subject of "false memories."
As a result of these errors, the Court of Appeals overturned Weinstein's conviction and ordered a new trial.
Weinstein's lawyers hailed the decision as a victory. "We are grateful that the Court of Appeals has recognized the serious errors that deprived Harvey Weinstein of a fair trial," said his attorney, Donna Rotunno.
The Manhattan District Attorney's Office, which prosecuted Weinstein, said it was "disappointed" with the decision but respected the court's ruling. "We will continue to fight for the victims of Harvey Weinstein's crimes," the office said in a statement.
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