The disgraced movie producer made a dramatic appearance in a Manhattan courtroom wearing an ill-fitting suit and showing visible signs of deterioration.
According to Daily Mail, Harvey Weinstein desperately pleaded with Judge Curtis Farber to move his April 15 trial date earlier, citing severe health concerns and harsh conditions at Rikers Island jail.
The 72-year-old former Hollywood mogul arrived in a wheelchair more than 30 minutes late to the hearing, where he revealed his ongoing battle with chronic myeloid leukemia, heart problems, and diabetes.
His appearance was notably different, wearing a heavily creased black suit that appeared too large for his diminished frame, along with an unironed white shirt and an American flag pin on his lapel.
Weinstein's deteriorating health has become a central focus of his legal proceedings. He complained to Judge Farber about receiving incorrect medication from jail officers and experiencing delays in transportation to court. The convicted producer is currently being treated for multiple serious conditions while awaiting his retrial.
His legal team, led by attorney Arthur Aidala, emphasized the urgency of moving the trial date forward. Aidala had previously suggested prioritizing Weinstein's case over other proceedings, citing his client's declining health and maintaining his innocence in New York state.
Weinstein addressed the court directly, speaking with an authority reminiscent of his former status as a powerful studio executive. He made his position clear through an emotional plea to Judge Farber, as captured in his statement:
I'm asking and begging you, your honor, to move your trial. I'm in a serious emergency situation. I am begging the court to move your date. I want to get out of this hellhole as quickly as possible.
The hearing also addressed significant developments in Weinstein's case. Judge Farber upheld an additional charge based on allegations from a previously unnamed woman, who came forward to prosecutors just before his first trial began.
The Manhattan district attorney's office defended their decision to include the new charge, explaining that the woman's allegations required careful investigation before seeking an indictment. They emphasized that there were no eyewitnesses to the alleged assault and no scientific or physical evidence available.
Scheduling conflicts have further complicated the proceedings. Weinstein's attorney is simultaneously representing conservative strategist Steve Bannon in a border wall fraud trial set for March 4, while Judge Farber has a murder trial scheduled for the same month.
The current case represents a critical juncture in Weinstein's legal battles. He faces charges of forcibly performing oral sex on a movie and TV production assistant in 2006 and raping an aspiring actor in 2013. The additional charge stems from alleged forced oral sex on a different woman at a Manhattan hotel in 2006.
Weinstein remains in custody at Rikers Island jail while awaiting a retrial. His legal team continues to advocate for an earlier trial date, emphasizing the urgency of their client's medical situation and his desire for a swift resolution.
This case marks another chapter in Weinstein's dramatic fall from grace. The former movie mogul, who co-founded Miramax and The Weinstein Company, became the central figure of the #MeToo movement in 2017. He currently serves a 16-year sentence from a Los Angeles conviction, which his lawyers appealed in June, arguing he did not receive a fair trial.
