Harvey Weinstein is set to make his first court appearance since his 2020 rape conviction was overturned, with expectations high as he returns to Manhattan Criminal Court on Wednesday.
Last Thursday, the New York state Court of Appeals overturned Weinstein’s conviction in a 4-3 decision, leading to his hospitalization days later for a series of tests. Scheduled to appear before Judge Curtis Farber at around 2:15 p.m., Weinstein faces a legal landscape reshaped by the court’s ruling.
The Court of Appeals ruled that the judge in Weinstein’s #MeToo trial had made prejudicial errors, particularly by admitting testimony about allegations not directly related to the case. The majority opinion, penned by Judge Jenny Rivera, termed the errors “egregious” and mandated a new trial, while dissenting Judge Anthony Cannataro lamented the decision as a “step backwards.”
Despite Weinstein’s accusers expressing dismay over the reversal and Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s commitment to retry the case, Weinstein’s legal team is preparing for the next legal battle.
Currently serving a 23-year sentence in New York’s Mohawk Correctional Facility, Weinstein’s recent transfer to Rikers Island’s medical ward and subsequent examination at Bellevue Hospital underscore his deteriorating health. His attorney, Arthur Aidala, emphasized Weinstein’s physical struggles, including the need for a walker and wheelchair due to audio and heart issues.
Weinstein’s legal woes extend beyond New York, as he faces a separate conviction in Los Angeles in 2022, where he was sentenced to 16 years in prison for rape. Plans for his potential extradition to California loom large as his legal team continues to appeal that case.