29 May 2024 , 19:02
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Harvey Weinstein arrived to a New York courthouse to hash out details surrounding his upcoming retrial.
The movie director was accused of an array of sexual assault allegations which include two former convictions of rape in the third degree and sexual assault which have since been overturned by the New York State Court of Appeals. The decision was made after Weinstein's attorneys took issue with the judge allowing witnesses to testify whose allegations were not germane to the tried case.
Weinstein appeared in court, being escorted on a wheelchair and wearing a dark blue suit with a white and blue tie. He added a patriotic American flag pin on the lapel of his suit jacket. He was bald with deep eye bags as he looked frail as concern over his health grows. His attorney, Arthur Aidala, shared: "They examined him and sent him to Bellevue. It seems like he needs a lot of help, physically. He's got a lot of problems. He's getting all kinds of tests. He's somewhat of a train wreck health-wise."
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Harvey Weinstein seen in court (Getty Images)Ahead of Wednesday's legal proceedings and the retrial, which is expected to take place after Labor Day, prosecutors expressed concern that the defense was allegedly trying to intimidate a witness. On May 1, outside of court, an attorney for Weinstein promised a difficult cross-examination for the victim "if she dares to come and show her face here."
Harvey Weinstein faces 24 extra jail years at sentencing for rape & sex assault
The victim did admit to fear of testifying and revisiting her trauma again, "but for the sake of keeping going and doing the right thing and because it is what happened, I would consider it," she said. In an effort to protect their witnesses, prosectors asked the judge to pose a reminder to Weinstein's attorneys to not speak about or disparage any witnesses ahead of the retrial.
Weinstein appeared in a wheelchair (POOL/AFP via Getty Images)The director and his legal team persistently denied any wrongdoing from Weinstein. Despite the overturned conviction in New York, Weinstein's conviction in California remains untouched as he was sentenced to 16-years.
His New York case previously sentenced him to a 23 years in prison, but if he is convicted again, that could change.