Harvey Weinstein, the disgraced Hollywood mogul, has been convicted of third-degree rape and first-degree criminal sex act in a split verdict in his New York City trial on Monday. He was ultimately acquitted of first-degree rape and two counts of predatory sexual assault.
To find convict on predatory sexual assault, the jury would have had to factor in Annabella Sciorra’s allegations that Weinstein sexually assaulted her in the 90s, as well as the allegations that Weinstein raped an upcoming actress in March of 2013 and forced oral sex on former T.V. production assistant Mimi Haleyi in 2006. Had a guilty verdict been reached on just one of those two predatory sexual assault charges, Harvey would have likely be sent to prison for life.
The jury resumed deliberations Monday morning, returning after Friday’s cliffhanger. A note was sent to Judge James Burke at the end of Friday’s deliberations, asking if it was legally allowed for the panel to be hung on one or both counts of predatory sexual assault against Harvey while reaching a unanimous verdict on lesser charges. Judge Burke responded by ordering that the jury keep deliberating in an attempt to reach a unanimous decision. Talks began to circulate that the trial could end with a partial verdict, according to ABC 7 New York. On Monday, the jury reached a verdict.
Weinstein has maintained his innocence, claiming that any sexual encounters with his accusers was consensual at the time. The mogul still faces four counts of sexual assault in L.A.
While Weinstein’s sentencing will take place at a later date, he has been ordered to jail immediately.
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