New York appeals court overturns Harvey Weinstein’s 2020 rape conviction from landmark #MeToo trial

The reversal of Harvey Weinstein’s conviction is the second major #MeToo setback in the last two years, after the U.S. Supreme Court refused to hear an appeal of a Pennsylvania court decision to throw out Bill Cosby’s sexual assault conviction.

Associated Press

Apr 25, 2024, 1:22 PM

Updated 11 days ago

Share:

NEW YORK (AP) — New York’s highest court on Thursday overturned Harvey Weinstein’s 2020 rape conviction, finding the judge at the landmark #MeToo trial prejudiced the ex-movie mogul with improper rulings, including a decision to let women testify about allegations that weren’t part of the case.
The state Court of Appeals ruling reopens a painful chapter in America’s reckoning with sexual misconduct by powerful figures — an era that began in 2017 with a flood of allegations against Weinstein. The court ordered a new trial. His accusers could again be forced to relive their traumas on the witness stand.
Weinstein, 72, has been serving a 23-year sentence in a New York prison following his conviction on charges of criminal sex act for forcibly performing oral sex on a TV and film production assistant in 2006 and rape in the third degree for an attack on an aspiring actress in 2013.
He will remain imprisoned because he was convicted in Los Angeles in 2022 of another rape and sentenced to 16 years in prison. Weinstein was acquitted in Los Angeles on charges involving one of the women who testified in New York.
Weinstein’s lawyers argued Judge James Burke’s rulings in favor of the prosecution turned the trial into “1-800-GET-HARVEY.”
The reversal of Weinstein’s conviction is the second major #MeToo setback in the last two years, after the U.S. Supreme Court refused to hear an appeal of a Pennsylvania court decision to throw out Bill Cosby’s sexual assault conviction.
Weinstein’s conviction stood for more than four years, heralded by activists and advocates as a milestone achievement, but dissected just as quickly by his lawyers and, later, the Court of Appeals when it heard arguments on the matter in February.


More from News 12
1:36
Stamford man recovers from rare Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever

Stamford man recovers from rare Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever

1:55
Mild and muggy in Connecticut; rain returns by midweek

Mild and muggy in Connecticut; rain returns by midweek

2:43
EXCLUSIVE: Bridgeport truck driver whose flatbed was struck in fiery I-95 crash says he’s grateful to be alive

EXCLUSIVE: Bridgeport truck driver whose flatbed was struck in fiery I-95 crash says he’s grateful to be alive

0:41
US provides $3 million relief funding toward reconstructing Fairfield Avenue Bridge in Norwalk

US provides $3 million relief funding toward reconstructing Fairfield Avenue Bridge in Norwalk

0:32
'Be careful when you're on your cellphone'. Bridgeport officials relay safety message following pedestrian accidents

'Be careful when you're on your cellphone'. Bridgeport officials relay safety message following pedestrian accidents

0:30
CT lawmakers vote to extend sick days to nearly all workers; bill heads to governor's desk

CT lawmakers vote to extend sick days to nearly all workers; bill heads to governor's desk

1:43
Made in Connecticut: Fresh squeezed juice from Ripe Juice Bar

Made in Connecticut: Fresh squeezed juice from Ripe Juice Bar

Discounts and perks teachers can use all year

Discounts and perks teachers can use all year

Guide: Deals and freebies for health care workers

Guide: Deals and freebies for health care workers

1:43
Saravanaa Bhavan a restaurant serving Indian vegetarian cuisine opens in Stamford

Saravanaa Bhavan a restaurant serving Indian vegetarian cuisine opens in Stamford

Former Bridgeport official pleads guilty to charges related to primaries and election in 2017, 2018

Former Bridgeport official pleads guilty to charges related to primaries and election in 2017, 2018

2:11
Security camera footage shows onset of deadly Stamford house fire

Security camera footage shows onset of deadly Stamford house fire

1:48
'This was a remarkable recovery': I-95 officially operating at full capacity

'This was a remarkable recovery': I-95 officially operating at full capacity

0:36
Sen. Bob Duff recognizes employees who worked on reopening I-95 in Norwalk

Sen. Bob Duff recognizes employees who worked on reopening I-95 in Norwalk

0:20
Bridgeport PD: Pedestrian struck by car on Seaview Avenue

Bridgeport PD: Pedestrian struck by car on Seaview Avenue

1:05
National Water Safety Month: 40,000 free swim lessons offered across tri-state area offered across tri-state area

National Water Safety Month: 40,000 free swim lessons offered across tri-state area offered across tri-state area

0:36
Sen. Blumenthal to seek emergency help for Norwalk businesses impacted by I-95 shutdown

Sen. Blumenthal to seek emergency help for Norwalk businesses impacted by I-95 shutdown

0:56
Nonprofit builders group celebrates 20th anniversary with annual fundraiser in Darien

Nonprofit builders group celebrates 20th anniversary with annual fundraiser in Darien

0:49
Mother’s Day event in Greenwich looks to empower women

Mother’s Day event in Greenwich looks to empower women

0:59
Pickleball America hosts first Dinko de Mayo Tournament

Pickleball America hosts first Dinko de Mayo Tournament