As reported by ABC News, Harvey Weinstein, the disgraced movie producer, has been indicted again by a New York grand jury, according to prosecutors from the Manhattan district attorney's office.
This development occurred months after the New York Court of Appeals overturned Weinstein's previous conviction. The court made the announcement on Thursday, September 12, 2024.
The 72-year-old Weinstein was not present for the court proceedings, as he is currently recuperating from emergency heart surgery. Prosecutors have requested that the judge set a date for Weinstein's arraignment.
Judge Curtis Farber has ordered the city corrections department to house Weinstein in the Bellevue Hospital prison ward if medically necessary.
The details of the new indictment against Weinstein remain under wraps, as it will stay sealed until the arraignment takes place. Prosecutors previously presented evidence to the grand jury regarding three alleged sexual assaults that were not part of Weinstein's previous case.
Weinstein's attorney, Arthur Aidala, expressed uncertainty about the contents of the new indictment. In a statement to reporters outside the courthouse, Aidala said, "We know literally as much as all of you do."
Prosecutors have requested a motion to consolidate Weinstein's prior indictment with the new one, potentially combining the cases for future proceedings.
In April, the New York Court of Appeals overturned Weinstein's 2020 conviction on sex crimes charges. The court's decision was based on what it deemed to be erroneously admitted testimony during the original trial.
In a 4-3 opinion, the appeals court stated that the trial judge had allowed testimony about uncharged, alleged prior sexual acts against individuals who were not complainants in the underlying crimes. The court found that this testimony served no material non-propensity purpose and portrayed Weinstein in a highly prejudicial light.
Jessica Mann, whose testimony was central to Weinstein's previous conviction, issued a statement commending the district attorney's office for its continued efforts to bring Weinstein to justice. Mann said:
The significant new criminal charges leveled today against Harvey Weinstein show that this Grand Jury, like so many others, can see clearly through his facade for what he truly is: a predator who must be held accountable for his crimes.
Just prior to the indictment announcement, Weinstein was rushed from Rikers Island to Bellevue Hospital for emergency heart surgery after experiencing chest pains. Despite these health concerns, Weinstein's trial is tentatively scheduled to take place in the fall of 2024.
Weinstein is also facing legal challenges in other jurisdictions. He has appealed a conviction on sex offenses in Los Angeles, where he was sentenced to 16 years in prison. Throughout these legal proceedings, Weinstein has maintained his innocence, denying any wrongdoing and asserting that his sexual encounters were consensual.
Harvey Weinstein has been indicted again by a New York grand jury following the overturning of his previous conviction. The new indictment remains sealed, with details to be revealed at the arraignment. Weinstein is currently recuperating from emergency heart surgery, and his trial is tentatively scheduled for fall 2024. The case continues to draw attention as prosecutors pursue new charges against the disgraced movie producer.
