Harvey Weinstein Found Guilty Of Rape, Criminal Sexual Act
Photo by Jefferson Siegel-Pool/Getty Images
Photo by Jefferson Siegel-Pool/Getty Images
Weinstein will likely appeal the conviction in July.
Harvey Weinstein finally received his sentence on Wednesday morning. The former movie mogul will serve 23 years in prison. A jury of seven men and five women convicted Weinstein of third-degree rape and a first-degree criminal sexual act in court in Manhattan.
The two charges stem from two separate incidents. In 2013, Weinstein allegedly raped aspiring actress Jessica Mann in New York City. The first-degree charge is due to an incident involving Miriam Haleyi, a production assistant, in 2006. Both Mann and Haleyi testified against Weinstein. Multiple accusers who also testified against Weinstein joined Haleyi and Mann in court.
READ: Harvey Weinstein Hired Private Investigators, Former Spies To Silence Sexual Assault Accusers
"He violated my trust, my body and my basic right to reject his sexual advances,” Haleyi said. "When he attacked me that evening, it scarred me emotionally and physically. It diminished my confidence and faith in people and my confidence and faith in myself. I’m relieved he will now know he’s not above the law.”
Mann mentioned the numerous allegations against Weinstein during her testimony. "My rape was preventable," she said. "This was a known offender whose previous crimes were covered up in a paper trail of non-disclosure agreements. I am forced to carry that experience until I die. It is a recurring nightmare that I feel is just as real as when it happened."
According to CNN, Weinstein's attorney is already in the process of filing an appeal following the verdict. Weinstein also faces four similar charges in Los Angeles County. Trial dates haven't been set at the moment. Weinstein is also under investigation for crimes in London and faces multiple civil lawsuits as well.
