Harvey Weinstein Case: What You Need to Know

This week marks the start of trial for one of the most infamous cases in the #MeToo movement, and that is Harvey Weinstein. Over the two plus years that the case against Weinstein has developed, “85 women have accused Weinstein of inappropriate to criminal behavior ranging from requests for massages to intimidating sexual advances to rape”, according to USA Today. 85 women.

As the trial begins, here’s some information to keep in mind or a crash course if you haven’t been keeping up with the latest.

Who is Harvey Weinstein?

Harvey Weinstein is a former American film producer. He and his brother co-founded Miramax and The Weinstein Company. Weinstein’s name and brands are behind many notorious films that we know and love like the Scary Movie series, Kill Bill series, and Django Unchained.

What is he being accused of?

As mentioned before, over 80 women have accused Weinstein of some sort of sexual misconduct or inappropriate acts. At least five have accused the producer of rape. Many of them have similar stories, of being placed in a hotel room and being forced to perform oral sex. Actresses have made claims of being propositioned, and when they denied, Weinstein threatened their careers and actually made their careers more difficult in some instances. Others have accused him of unwanted groping, asking them for massages, or masturbating in front of them.

Some of the most notable names in Hollywood have accused the producer of inappropriate conduct such as Angelina Jolie, Lupita Nyong’o and Gwyneth Paltrow, 

What is he charged with?

He is being charged with raping one woman and sexually assaulting another. In total, he is facing five criminal charges which according to CNN include “2 counts of predatory sexual assaults, 1 count of first-degree rape, 1 count of third-degree rape, and 1 count of first-degree criminal sexual act.”

What was the deal with the jury and Gigi Hadid?

Yes, model Gigi Hadid was one of the people screened as part of the jury selection process, but denied. The jury has now been selected, although the defense is moving for a mistrial based on one of the juror selections. Juror #11 is writing a novel based on, of all things, predatory men and their relationship with younger women. Sounds a little bit bias… which is why the defense has been working so hard to get the whole case tossed. 

The Latest:

The New York trial began this week for Weinstein, with the first accuser taking the stand. USA Today says that Annabella Sciorra testified Weinstein raped her in the 1990s, and although her case is too old to be prosecuted because of New York’s statute of limitations, her testimony will be used to establish him as a predator for the prosecution’s case. 

The trial is expected to last about two months. Weinstein is also charged with sex crimes in Los Angeles but that case is on hold until the New York one is finished.