Fri. Mar 29th, 2024

Former Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein appeared in court for a bail hearing just one month ahead of his criminal trial, as per a report in Variety.com

He was taken into the downtown courthouse, limping with the help of assistants. The former head of Miramax and the Weinstein Company, was seen clad in a light grey suit, looking pale and tired as he walked inside the court.

“This is tough,” Donna Rotunno, one of Weinstein’s defense attorneys, said. “This is tough on anybody going through this and dealing with the scrutiny not only in the courtroom, but in the court of public opinion.”

A New York judge said that Weinstein’s bail amount of $1 million will remain the same for now while another hearing will determine his bail on Wednesday.

The Pulp Fiction producer faces five sex crimes charges of rape and sexual assault from two separate incidents in 2006 and 2013 when he was alleged to have raped two women. 

In addition to the two alleged victims, the jury is expected to hear from other alleged victims, including Sopranos actress Annabella Sciorra, whom the judge has allowed to testify that Weinstein raped her 26 years ago. Weinstein has pled not guilty, and maintains that any sexual activity was consensual. If convicted, Weinstein could face life in prison. 

The allegations of sexual abuse against Weinstein had set off the Me Too movement in 2017 and inspired a larger debate about women’s safety in the film industry. After Weinstein, several other celebrities were hit with allegations of abuse but, Weinstein is one of the only men to face criminal charges.

By Yash Singh

A film graduate who writes for a living, apparently.

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