Harvey Weinstein retrial underway in New York with new accuser

Harvey Weinstein’s retrial commenced on Wednesday in Manhattan, marking a pivotal moment in the ongoing legal battles of the once-powerful Hollywood producer.

The proceedings opened with detailed allegations from three women, including Kaja Sokola, a former model and producer who has come forward publicly for the first time in a criminal case against Weinstein.​

Read more: Harvey Weinstein returns to court in retrial case

Prosecutors outline pattern of abuse

Assistant District Attorney Shannon Lucey addressed the jury, portraying Weinstein as a manipulative figure who exploited his influence in the film industry to sexually abuse women. “The defendant wanted their bodies, and the more they resisted, the more forceful he got,” Lucey stated, emphasizing the power dynamics at play.​

The prosecution's case centers on allegations from three women:​

• Kaja Sokola: Sokola alleges that in 2006, at the age of 19, Weinstein lured her to his Manhattan hotel room under the pretense of discussing movie scripts and forcibly performed oral sex on her. She also claims that four years earlier, at 16, Weinstein sexually assaulted her in his apartment during what she believed would be a professional meeting. While the earlier incident falls outside the statute of limitations, it underscores a pattern of predatory behavior, according to prosecutors.​

• Jessica Mann: An aspiring actress who testified in Weinstein's 2020 trial, Mann alleges that Weinstein raped her in a New York City hotel room in 2013.

• Miriam Haley: A former television production assistant, Haley claims that Weinstein forcibly performed oral sex on her in his Manhattan apartment in 2006.​

Both Mann and Haley had previously testified in Weinstein's initial trial, which led to a conviction later overturned by the New York Court of Appeals in 2024 due to procedural errors, including the admission of testimony from women whose allegations were not part of the formal charges.​

Why the retrial happened

Weinstein’s conviction was overturned after the court ruled that he did not receive a fair trial in 2020, primarily because of the inclusion of testimony from women whose allegations were not part of the charges in the case. As a result, the New York retrial was ordered, focusing on the original charges against Mann and Haley, with the inclusion of Sokola’s allegations.

Despite the April 2023 court decision to vacate his 2020 conviction, Weinstein was not released from custody. He remains incarcerated due to his 2022 California conviction on charges of rape and sexual assault, for which he was sentenced to 16 years in prison. Weinstein continues to serve that sentence while the retrial proceeds.

Defense challenges credibility

Weinstein's attorney, Arthur Aidala, countered the prosecution's narrative by asserting that the relationships were consensual and mutually beneficial. He accused the accusers of seeking fame and financial gain, stating, “These women are addicted to that fame. They want to be heroes.”​

Aidala emphasized that the women maintained contact with Weinstein after the alleged incidents, suggesting that this undermines their claims of non-consensual encounters.​

Health concerns, legal strategy

Weinstein, 73, appeared in court in a wheelchair, citing multiple health issues, including chronic myeloid leukemia, heart problems, and diabetes. He has been held at Rikers Island but has requested to remain at Bellevue Hospital during the trial for better medical care. In a previous hearing, Weinstein pleaded with the judge to expedite the trial, expressing concerns over his deteriorating health and the conditions at Rikers Island.​

Broader implications

The retrial is being closely watched as a significant moment in the #MeToo movement, which gained momentum following the initial wave of allegations against Weinstein in 2017. Over 80 women have accused him of sexual misconduct, leading to a broader reckoning in various industries regarding sexual harassment and abuse.​

Weinstein has pleaded not guilty to the current charges. Separately, he was convicted in California in 2022 on charges of rape and sexual assault and was sentenced to 16 years in prison, a conviction that remains under appeal.​

The retrial in New York is expected to continue in the coming weeks, with testimonies from the accusers and further examination of the evidence presented.​