Harvey Weinstein Sentenced to 16 Years in Prison for Rape and Sexual Assault

Harvey Weinstein has been sentenced to 16 years in prison in the recent Los Angeles rape trial.[0] An anonymous survivor, referred to as Jane Doe #1, had the disgraced producer convicted on three counts of rape and sexual assault.[1] Regarding two other survivors, including Jennifer Siebel Newsom, wife of California governor Gavin Newsom, he was acquitted of an additional assault, while jurors failed to reach a verdict.[2] This sentence will be added to the 23-year sentence Weinstein is already serving in New York for a separate rape and sexual assault conviction.[3]

Jane Doe #1, who gave testimony that Weinstein assaulted her at a hotel following the Los Angeles Italia Film Festival in 2013, is the source of the charges.[4] The jury declared the defendant not guilty of sexual battery by restraint in regards to the second accuser, Jane Doe 2, and were unable to come to a verdict in regards to the accusations involving Jane Doe 3 and Jane Doe 4.[5]

Weinstein's attorneys have argued that the judge wrongly precluded them from introducing relevant evidence and argument, particularly centering around Jane Doe #1. Before the sentencing, Judge Lench delivered a lengthy argument as to why Weinstein should be granted a new trial, alleging that the judge “allowed perjury on the stand” from Jane Doe #1.[6] He declared the defense had been “sandbagged by a lie told on the stand,” and asserted the jury had been “got sucked into the lies of Jane Doe #1.”[6]

Weinstein said: “This is a made up story. With all due respect, Jane Doe One is an actress… Jane Doe One can turn on the tears.”[7] His defense also argued it was improper for the judge to instruct the jury on a law that allows jurors to infer Weinstein was aware of his guilt.

In response to the sentencing, a rep for Weinstein, Juda Engelmayer, said in statement: “It's a cruel sentence, given his age, his health and the conditions of his conviction in Los Angeles, when the charges were from a person who lied, with the judge and prosecutor well aware of it and permitting it, about critical elements of her own claim. It's not justice, but a pile on for a man many people just decided should be cast off and discarded regardless of facts. It will be appealed.”[7]

Jane Doe #1 then spoke in court, saying: “Before that night I was a very happy and confident woman.[3]

0. “Harvey Weinstein sentenced to 16 years in L.A. rape conviction” NBC News, 23 Feb. 2023, https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/harvey-weinsteins-prison-term-double-l-rape-sentence-rcna71702

1. “Harvey Weinstein begs for mercy as he's jailed 16 more years for rape and sexual assault” Express, 23 Feb. 2023, https://www.express.co.uk/celebrity-news/1738692/Harvey-Weinstein-sentenced-rape-sexual-assault-Hollywood-movies-news-latest

2. “Harvey Weinstein sentenced to 16 additional years in prison” The A.V. Club, 23 Feb. 2023, https://www.avclub.com/harvey-weinstein-sentenced-to-16-more-years-in-prison-1850150015

3. “Harvey Weinstein set to be sentenced for rape conviction in LA” KABC-TV, 23 Feb. 2023, https://abc7.com/harvey-weinstein-set-to-be-sentenced-for-rape-conviction-in-la/12866545/

4. “Harvey Weinstein sentenced to 16 years in prison in LA rape conviction” Insider, 23 Feb. 2023, https://www.insider.com/harvey-weinstein-sentenced-16-years-prison-term-la-rape-conviction-2023-2

5. “Harvey Weinstein Sentenced To 16 Years In Prison In L.A. Sexual Assault Case” TMZ, 23 Feb. 2023, https://www.tmz.com/2023/02/23/harvey-weinstein-sentenced-sexual-assault-case-los-angeles/

6. “Harvey Weinstein Sentenced to 16 Years After Rape Conviction, Putting Former Movie Mogul Behind Bars for Life” Yahoo Entertainment, 23 Feb. 2023, https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/harvey-weinstein-sentenced-16-years-192553606.html

7. “Harvey Weinstein begs for mercy as he is jailed for another 16 years” Sky News, 23 Feb. 2023, https://news.sky.com/story/harvey-weinstein-begs-for-mercy-as-he-is-jailed-for-another-16-years-12818210

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