The New York Supreme Court overturned the verdict against American film producer Harvey Weinstein on Thursday. Weinstein, who was found guilty of raping several women four years ago, had his conviction overturned in what was considered a major victory for the MeToo movement in the country. The decision came after four of the seven highest judges voted to overturn the verdict, citing a procedural error that affected the fairness of the trial.
The judges criticized the judge in charge at the time for allowing the public prosecutor to call women to the witness stand whose allegations were not part of the original indictment. These women’s statements had a clear impact on the jury, leading to an unfair trial for Weinstein. Prior to his conviction, Weinstein, once a powerful figure in Hollywood, had already been publicly condemned due to the accusations of over 100 women who accused him of sexual abuse and rape.
Despite the overturned conviction, Weinstein remains incarcerated as he is also facing a 16-year prison sentence in California for a separate rape case. The Manhattan District Attorney now has the decision to reopen the criminal proceedings against Weinstein, but this comes at a challenging time as the DA is currently handling the case against former President Donald Trump.
While Weinstein’s lawyer hailed the Supreme Court’s decision as a victory for fundamental principles in the legal system, those who accuse Weinstein of abuse expressed disappointment and shock. The outcome of the case remains uncertain as legal proceedings continue, and Weinstein’s future will depend on the decisions made in the ongoing legal battles.