Following a new development in the high-profile case against Harvey Weinstein, the former Hollywood mogul’s 2020 rape conviction in New York has been overturned by the state’s highest court.
The Court of Appeals, in a 4-3 decision, ruled that the trial judge made improper rulings, including allowing women to testify about allegations that were not part of the case.
The court stated,
“We conclude that the trial court erroneously admitted testimony of uncharged, alleged prior sexual acts against persons other than the complainants of the underlying crimes because that testimony served no material non-propensity purpose.”
Judge Jenny Rivera called the errors “egregious” and said the remedy is a new trial.
The ruling is viewed by some as a setback for the #MeToo movement, which gained momentum after allegations against Weinstein surfaced in 2017.
Harvey Weinstein accuser Louise Godbold expressed her initial reaction as “visceral,” stating that the fear and panic from the original trauma resurfaced. Caitlin Dulany, another accuser, said she was “deeply shocked” and “saddened” by the ruling.
Attorneys representing Weinstein’s accusers criticized the decision, with some calling it a “leap backward for the rule of law” and a “major step back in holding those accountable for acts of sexual violence.”
However, Weinstein’s legal team hailed the decision as a “victory” for their client and for criminal defendants in the United States. Juda Engelmayer, a spokesperson for Weinstein, expressed their confidence that the conviction in Los Angeles would be upheld.
On Thursday, Tarana Burke, the founder of the #MeToo movement, said at a news conference that this was not a “blow” because
“These brave women in this case broke their silence, millions and millions and millions of others found the strength to come forward and do the same. That will always be the victory.”
