Two months after being found guilty of three of seven counts of sexual assault in Los Angeles, Harvey Weinstein finally received the corresponding sentence. This Thursday, the Los Angeles court ruled that the former Hollywood bigwig must spend a total of 16 years in prisonadding the eight, six and two years that concern the third of crimes committed.
On December 19, Weinstein was found guilty of one count of rape, one count of forced oral copulation and one count of penetration with a foreign object. The three attacks fell on the same victim: an Italian model, attacked in February 2013, and who throughout the judicial process was referred to as Unknown Number 1. There were also four other charges of the same nature – coming from three other complainants – but that did not proceed. Weinstein was acquitted of one of the four alleged crimes and the rest were declared null and void; this because the jury vote was not unanimous.
“Ten years later, the effects of this violation remain stark and difficult to discuss,” Unknown Number 1 said in court on Thursday, before the sentence was announced. “Your Honor, I hope you can understand my suffering. There is no prison sentence long enough to undo the damage. I hope he imposes the maximum penalty allowed.”
In response, the defendant stated the following:
“I maintain that I am innocent. I’ve never raped or sexually assaulted Stranger Number 1. I’ve never met this woman, and the fact is, she doesn’t know me. It’s about money.”
Weinstein also pleaded with the court not to be sent to prison for life. “I do not deserve it. There are so many things wrong with this case,” he added.
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Last month, Weinstein’s legal team began proceedings to request a new trial in Los Angeles, alleging that “the jury was left with a false impression” of Stranger Number 1 and that the prosecution created “a false version” of events. (via Deadline). However, the motion was dismissed this Thursday by Judge Lisa B. Lench.
Harvey Weinstein will face his 16-year prison sentence in Los Angeles only after the completion of his sentence in New York. In 2020, the Manhattan court sentenced the former film producer to 23 years in prison on charges of sexual assault and rape. The culprit, close to turning 71 years of age, will be able to obtain probation until 2039.
Antonio G. Spindola I have very bad memory. Out of solidarity with my memories, I choose to lose myself too. Preferably in a movie theater.