Harvey Weinstein, the once influential Hollywood producer, was sentenced to 23 years in a New York State prison on Wednesday after his conviction on felony sex crimes, capping a two-year plummet from grace over his sexual abuse of women.
The sentencing marked a major milestone in the #MeToo movement, which gained momentum after several women went public with their complaints about Mr. Weinstein.
Women’s rights organizations and Mr. Weinstein’s accusers had celebrated the producer’s conviction, calling it the start of a new era of women’s empowerment.
(Featured image is “Scales of Justice” by Government of Prince Edward Island . Used under creative commons license.)
I will be surprised if he survives his prison sentence, even if he does get assigned to a white collar prison.Report
He’s 67 and supposedly in poor health (although that might be a lie for the judge).
Yes, agreed, this is a death sentence.Report
He wouldn’t have gone to jail if he was still making money, getting oscars, an such for actors….but he had a few bad years and became “expendable”.Report
Apparently, he has been depressed and even suicidal lately. We’re probably looking at a “Weinstein Dead” thread one of these days.Report
I certainly hope there aren’t irregularities with the guards, cameras, and autopsy!Report
Is there more to unravel about Weinstein? Accomplices? An organization? Powerful people who participated in the Sexual Abuse whose identities are now hidden or potentially lost? Do we suspect that Weinstein’s wealth is ill gotten rather than misbegotten?Report
I don’t think so, but that’s just me. Sadly, it won’t stop the “Weinstein didn’t kill himself” stories if he dies anywhere outside of a prison hospital bed — and maybe not even then.Report
Its not the “Weinstein under suicide watch” articles you need to keep an eye out for, it’s the “Weinstein taken off suicide watch” articles you need to take note of.Report
I don’t actually “needs to take note of” anything. If he dies in prison in some way that isn’t obvious, I’ll be happy to await the results of what I have reason to believe will be a thorough investigation.Report
His spokesman tells us that he suffered a heart attack.
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His legal team promised he’d die in prison if sentenced for more than five years, so hopefully he’ll make good on it.
*holds finger to earpiece*
Sorry, it appears his legal team _threatened_ that he would die in prison if sentenced for more than five years, not ‘promised’. That’s a…weird ‘threat’ to make.Report
His legal team promised he’d die in prison if sentenced for more than five years, so maybe he’ll make good on it.
*holds finger to earpiece*
Sorry, a correction. It appears his legal team _threatened_ that he would die in prison if sentenced for more than five years, not ‘promised’. That’s a…weird ‘threat’ to make.Report
Everything considered, 5 years would be very disappointing.
5 days before he’s scheduled to be released would be fine.Report
News story says Weinstein has the corona. Reading this, I immediately checked to see if it was from his spokesperson or from officials and it’s from officials.
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Well, I’m not sure what to think about that. Given his pre-existing health conditions, he’s at high risk. Some will say it’s karma, and some will say it’s ironic that he survived every STD Hollywood could produce, only to get laid low by a Chinese pandemic.
Yet from another perspective, all his sins are forgiven because the Pope granted such forgiveness to everyone affected by the virus. We were all convinced that Weinstein would rot in the bowels of hell, and yet he’s might waltz right into Heaven on what I would describe as a clerical error. It’s like getting an acquittal from the only judge who really matters.Report
Spoilers for the plot of Dogma 2, everyone.Report
Seriously, it looks like he has it this time.
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