Harvey Weinstein sentenced to 23 years in prison

By MiNDFOOD

Harvey Weinstein sits in a wheelchair during the sentencing following his conviction on sexual assault and rape charges in the Manhattan borough of New York City, New York, U.S. March 11, 2020 in this courtroom sketch. REUTERS/Jane Rosenberg
Harvey Weinstein sits in a wheelchair during the sentencing following his conviction on sexual assault and rape charges in the Manhattan borough of New York City, New York, U.S. March 11, 2020 in this courtroom sketch. REUTERS/Jane Rosenberg
Disgraced movie mogul Harvey Weinstein has been sentenced to 23 years in prison for rape and sexual assault.

It comes after he was found guilty of committing a first-degree criminal sexual act against production assistant Miriam Haley in 2006, and of the third-degree rape of aspiring actress Jessica Mann in 2013.

Weinstein appeared in court in New York on Wednesday local time in a wheel chair for the sentencing, at which he was also told to register as a sex offender.

The 67-year-old still faces further criminal charges for rape and sexual assault in Los Angeles, where officials have started extradition proceedings.

Prosecutors and #MeToo campaigners have praised the lengthy sentence, with Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance saying it “puts sexual predators and abusive partners in all segments of society on notice”.

While Weinstein did not testify during his trial, he spoke for around 20 minutes without prepared remarks at the sentencing, despite his defence attorney repeatedly asking him to stop talking.

Weinstein expressed remorse but said he believed the relationship with women who spoke out against him were consensual. He also lamented how the allegations had impacted his personal life.

Accusers Haley and Mann both spoke at the sentencing, with Haley saying, “If Harvey Weinstein had not been convicted by this jury, it would have happened again and again and again.”

“I’m relieved he will now know he’s not above the law. I’m relieved there are women out there who are safer because he’s not out there,” she said.

Weinstein was once one of Hollywood’s most powerful figures. Dozens of women have come forward accusing him of sexual misconduct since The New York Times published allegations spanning decades in October 2017.

He has denied wrongdoing and his lawyers say they will appeal against his conviction.

Harvey Weinstein sits in a wheelchair during the sentencing following his conviction on sexual assault and rape charges in the Manhattan borough of New York City, New York, U.S. March 11, 2020 in this courtroom sketch. REUTERS/Jane Rosenberg

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