NEW YORK — Harvey Weinstein is set to appear in court in New York on Wednesday for a crucial hearing ahead of his retrial on sex crimes charges that are central to the #MeToo movement.
Judge Curtis Farber is anticipated to discuss prosecutors’ request to merge the existing case with a new charge into a single trial. This follows the overturning of Weinstein’s 2020 conviction earlier this year, which originally involved charges of forcibly performing oral sex on a production assistant in 2006 and third-degree rape of an aspiring actor in 2013.
In September, Weinstein was faced with additional allegations of forcing oral sex on another woman in a Manhattan hotel, also in 2006. He has entered a plea of not guilty to all charges.
The Manhattan District Attorney’s Office has contended that conducting separate trials would be “extraordinarily inefficient” and lead to a waste of judicial resources, citing significant overlaps between the cases in terms of criminal statutes, witnesses, expert testimony, and documentary evidence.
Conversely, Weinstein’s legal team argues that keeping the cases separate is essential, asserting that the prosecution is attempting to broaden the trial’s scope and turn it into a completely new case.
Questions remain regarding when Weinstein’s retrial will officially commence. Initially set for November 12, both the defense and prosecution have expressed doubts that enough preparation time is available.
Currently held at Rikers Island, Weinstein has been dealing with various health issues during his imprisonment. He was previously convicted of rape in Los Angeles in 2022, with ongoing appeals from his legal counsel.
Weinstein’s actions have had a profound impact on the #MeToo movement, igniting widespread conversations about sexual assault and harassment since 2017. The 72-year-old former producer is known for co-founding Miramax and The Weinstein Company, and for producing acclaimed films such as “Shakespeare in Love” and “The Crying Game.”
