After five days of deliberation, the jury in Harvey Weinstein’s criminal trial returned a mixed verdict, convicting the disgraced Hollywood producer of third degree rape and criminal sexual act in the first degree. Weinstein was acquitted of the most serious counts, a charge of first degree rape and two counts of predatory sexual assault. From the NY Times:
Harvey Weinstein, who long reigned as one of the most influential producers in Hollywood, was found guilty on Monday of two felony sex crimes after a Manhattan trial that became a watershed moment for the #MeToo movement.
But the jury acquitted Mr. Weinstein of the two most serious charges against him, predatory sexual assault.
The verdict offered a measure of justice to the dozens of women who have come forward with similar allegations against Mr. Weinstein. For many, the trial was a crucial test in the effort to hold powerful men accountable for sexual harassment in the workplace.
The jury found Mr. Weinstein guilty of two counts, criminal sexual assault in the first degree and rape in the third degree. On the two counts of predatory sexual assault, the not guilty verdicts suggested that one or some jurors did not believe the testimony of Annabella Sciorra, an actress best known for her work in “The Sopranos.”
He faces a sentence of five to 25 years on the top count.
Five to twenty-five.
I’m wondering if he’ll see one to three.Report
Probably get house arrest, or something that keeps him far away from the gen pop of a federal pen.Report
“Well, you know, the US has a propensity to over-sentence.”
Objectively, I think prison is an effed up way of disseminating justice. But if we’re gonna roll with it, then people like Harvey need to spend (undergoes random calculation that feels intuitively right) 25X the years a drug dealer should spend in prison.Report
I agree with this:
To this day, I wonder what has been covered up because it is inconvenient.
We know this happens. Now we’re just wondering how often.Report
Epstein didn’t kill himself.Report
He still has an LA trial to face. So this isn’t the end.Report
Good. That he wasn’t convicted of the more serious charges is something I hope is addressed in his future trial. That MFer needs to burn on every level. Of justice of course. 🙂Report