Harvey Weinstein’s Rape Conviction , Is Overturned.
New York's Court of Appeals overturned the movie mogul's 2020 rape conviction by a vote of 4-3 on April 25.
According to the appeals court, trial judge James Burke "prejudiced Weinstein with 'egregious' improper rulings," AP reports.
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For example, he let women bring forth allegations against Weinstein that he wasn't charged with.
The action was an "abuse of judicial discretion," the appeals court said.
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Without question, this is appalling, shameful, repulsive conduct that could only diminish defendant’s character before the jury, New York's Court of Appeals, via AP.
Although this conviction has been overturned, the 72-year-old will remain in prison due to a separate 2022 rape conviction in Los Angeles.
His lawyers have chosen to appeal that conviction as well.
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Jennifer Bonjean, who helped free Bill Cosby from prison, issued a statement about the development.
Jennifer Bonjean, who helped free Bill Cosby from prison, issued a statement about the development.
A jury was told in California that he was convicted in another state for rape ... turns out he shouldn’t have been convicted and it wasn’t a fair conviction… , Jennifer Bonjean, Harvey Weinstein's attorney, via AP.
It interfered with his presumption of innocence in a significant way in California, Jennifer Bonjean, Harvey Weinstein's attorney, via AP.
On April 25, prosecutors said that "the legal issues identified by the New York Court of Appeal are not present in the Los Angeles County Case.".
The Manhattan district attorney's office said they will "do everything in our power to retry this case, and remain steadfast in our commitment to survivors of sexual assault."
