The case was actually closed – in the truest sense of the word. Four years ago, former film producer Harvey Weinstein was sentenced to 23 years in prison for rape and sexual assault. Later another 16 years were added as a result of another procedure. For a long time, it wasn’t even close to being discussed that Weinstein would ever leave prison again.
The now 72-year-old appeared very frail and visibly weakened at the time, perhaps for show – and the sentences were therefore too long for him to survive. At least the first verdict is now being renegotiated. He remains in prison only because of the conviction in the second California trial. In principle, nothing changes for the time being – but the annulment of the first verdict still triggers worldwide horror. Especially in the film industry.
Hollywood star Ashley Judd, who first made allegations against Weinstein in 2017, spoke to the New York Times. She stated “This is unfair to those affected. We are still living in our truth. And we know what happened.”
Oscar winner Mira Sorvino also accused Weinstein of sexual harassment. In a statement on
Actress Katherine Kendall is among the women who also spoke to The New York Times. She is quoted as saying: “It’s a terrible reminder that victims of sexual assault simply don’t get justice. I feel completely let down by the justice system at the moment. I’m kind of stunned.”
You hear something similar from model Ambra Battilana Gutierrez. She had accused Weinstein of touching her breast and putting his hand up her skirt. She explains: “If the prosecution had taken my case seriously in 2015, we wouldn’t be here now. This is an ongoing failure of the justice system – and the courts – to take survivors seriously and protect our interests.”
Sarah Ann Masse, an actress who accused Weinstein of sexually abusing her in 2017, said: “The perpetrators are given one chance after another to return to their ‘normal lives,’ while the survivors continue to suffer from a lack of support, ongoing trauma , chronic illness, mental health issues, economic harm and various forms of retaliation.”
Caitlin Dulany, who also accused Weinstein of sexual assault, spoke to Rolling Stone. She woke up “to this craziness” and is clearly unhappy with the procedure: “We were all definitely worried that this could be a possibility, right? A lot of us were talking to each other this morning. We’re obviously disappointed, angry and have this Feeling, yuck, not again. (But) it’s obviously a loophole in the law. It’s not like he’s innocent or these things didn’t happen.” But Dulany is reassured that “he will remain in prison, at least until he is almost 90 years old.”
For the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office, the fight is not lost. They declared that they would “do everything in our power” to retry the case. “We will continue to advocate for survivors of sexual assault,” they said.
Some statements tend to read combative. Actress Rose McGowan is quoted as saying: “They will never change who we are. Blessings to all who have given their best.”
“She Said” star Sarah Ann Masse felt it was important to emphasize one thing above all else. She told Rolling Stone: “Today’s decision in no way implies that Weinstein is innocent. And the world has changed forever because of the women who were brave enough to challenge him in court.”
Arthur Aidala, a defense attorney for Weinstein, made the following statement to various media outlets: “Today’s verdict is not just a victory for Harvey Weinstein, but a victory for every citizen in this country who is accused of a crime, and no matter how popular or unpopular he is, the court has loudly declared that he is entitled to all the protections provided by the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of New York.”
