Harvey Weinstein Found Guilty in Sexual Assault Trial
American film producer Harvey Weinstein has been convicted of two accounts of sexual assault. A jury of seven men and five women found Weinstein guilty of a forced sex act on former production assistant Mimi Haleyi in 2006 and the rape of aspiring actress Jessica Mann in 2013. He was, however, deemed innocent of predatory sexual assault, the most severe charge, which included forcing sex on actress Annabella Sciorra in 1993 or 1994.
In light of today's court decision in New York State Supreme Court in Manhattan, Weinstein could face up to 25 years in prison.
Six accusers testified against Weinstein during the three-week trial, including Haleyi, Mann, Sciorra, and three additional support witnesses. In total, the prosecution summoned 28 witness, while the defense brought seven. Weinstein's lawyers ultimately argued that all sexual activity was consensual.
Harvey Weinstein's predatory behavior helped spark the #MeToo movement in 2017, which led to numerous actors speaking out and accusing the Hollywood bigwig and other powerful men in the film industry of sexual misconduct.