Jury choice for Harvey Weinstein’s second intercourse crimes trial will proceed Tuesday and Wednesday in Los Angeles after 67 potential jurors have been introduced on the primary day.
The disgraced Hollywood mogul, who’s already serving a 23-year sentence in a New York jail for felony first-degree sexual assault and third-degree rape, faces a number of accusations made by 5 ladies who say they have been assaulted by the 70-year-old Oscar winner.
The new trial, anticipated to final about eight weeks, will middle on accusations of sexual assault from incidents involving the ladies, which allegedly passed off from 2004 till 2013. The alleged victims say they have been lured into what they thought can be conferences with the then-Hollywood powerhouse at luxurious lodges in Los Angeles.
Weinstein, who grew to become a central determine within the #MeToo motion in 2017, has been accused by greater than 80 ladies of sexual misconduct — together with harassment and rape.
On Monday, Weinstein, who’s being held in a Los Angeles County jail, entered the courtroom in a wheelchair. He wore a blue go well with after altering out of his jail apparel.
In early 2020, he was convicted of third-degree rape towards a lady in 2013 and sexually assaulting one other lady in 2006. He has maintained his innocence.
He has pleaded not responsible to the allegations he faces in Los Angeles.
All 5 accusers are anticipated to testify. Four ladies who say they have been assaulted by Weinstein, however whose accusations will not be a part of the felony fees, are additionally anticipated to testify and describe Weinstein’s habits.
One of them is Jennifer Siebel Newsom, the spouse of California Gov. Gavin Newsom.
“Like many other women, my client was sexually assaulted by Harvey Weinstein at a purported business meeting that turned out to be a trap,” her lawyer, Beth Fegan, mentioned in an announcement.
“She intends to testify at his trial in order to seek some measure of justice for survivors, and as part of her life’s work to improve the lives of women,” she added.
Unlike the media spectacle seen in the course of the proceedings in New York, just a few reporters, together with two sketch artists, shall be allowed into the courtroom every day.
If convicted, the Queens, N.Y., native might withstand 140 extra years behind bars.
Source: www.bostonherald.com”