Weinstein process: jury advises on the ultimate decision!

Weinstein process: jury advises on the ultimate decision!

New York, USA - The controversial trial against Harvey Weinstein has taken a new turn. In New York, the jury is now advising on the judgment after the final plans of the indictment and defense have been presented. The 73-year-old is on trial because of severe sexual crimes where he is accused of sexually abusing three women between 2006 and 2013. Weinstein denies the allegations and pleaded for not guilty. The discussions within the jury could take hours, days or even weeks, such as sächsische.de reported.

The indictment is based on the statements of three women: Mimi Haleyi, Jessica Mann and Kaja Sokola. These reported attacks that they have experienced. In its argument, the indictment calls for a new conviction because Weinstein abused its power and influence. The defense, on the other hand, argues that the women had used the accused for their own goals. Even in the event of an acquittal in New York, Weinstein remains in prison because he was sentenced to 16 years in prison in California in 2023 for similar crimes.

The cancellation of the previous judgment

Weinstein was sentenced to 23 years in prison in an earlier trial, but an appellate court in New York lifted this judgment due to procedural errors. taz.de reported that testimony that were not part of the original indictment were wrongly approved, which was regarded as a serious process error.

The first process against Weinstein, which is also considered a milestone in legal history, was an essential impulse provider for the #Metoo movement. This movement has initiated a social debate about sexual assault and the associated reforms in sex criminal law. Weinstein had accused more than 80 women sexual abuse, which led to massive public pressure.

Reforms in sexual criminal law in the context of #metoo

The #Metoo movement ensured that reforms were requested in sexual criminal law. Changes were made to do justice to victims of sexual violence and to hold perpetrators to account. The implementation of the principle "No means no" and the extension of the limitation periods are just a few of the measures that are due to public pressure, such as a contribution to Rechtsanwalt-nierfeld.de . Judges have become more sensitive to sexual violence, but there is also criticism of the implementation of these reforms.

The latest developments in the process against Weinstein and the associated reactions of activists and celebrities illustrate the continuing explosiveness of the topic. Tarana Burke, the founder of the #Metoo movement, described the decision of the Court of Appeal as a "wake-up call", while actress Ashley Judd and others comment on fairness towards the victims.