Harvey Weinstein trial: Jury find Weinstein guilty of sexual assault

The jurors in the sexual assault trial of former movie producer Harvey Weinstein have reached a verdict on their fifth day of deliberations on Monday. The verdict was not immediately announced in criminal court in Manhattan. Mr Weinstein arrived at court after breakfast at the Four Seasons New York Downtown hotel, wearing a navy blue suit and leaning on a walker.

Mr Weinstein pleaded not guilty to sexually assaulting former production assistant Mimi Haleyi and raping Jessica Mann, a onetime aspiring actress.

The former film producer appeared to be in an upbeat mood as he said “good morning everyone,” to reporters in the courthouse hallway and paused for photos.

Mr Weinstein was flanked by his legal team as he arrived to court.

A judge has ordered Harvey Weinstein to be jailed immediately after his sexual assault conviction, he will not be allowed bail and will receive his full sentence in March.

The charges were in relation to allegations made by two women.

He was found guilty of criminal sex act for assaulting a production assistant at his apartment in 2006 and third-degree rape of a woman in 2013.

The jury found him not guilty on the most serious charge, predatory sexual assault, that could have resulted in a life sentence.

Mr Weinstein was accused of raping a woman in a New York hotel room in 2013 and forcibly performing oral sex on another woman in 2006.

In Manhattan Assistant District Attorney Joan Illuzzi’s closing statement, she branded him an “abusive rapist” and a “predator”.

She said: “When Harvey Weinstein met the witnesses, he looked quite different than he does today.

“They were scared.

“They felt isolated and they were alone.’”

Mr Weinstein’s trial began in January 2020.

Donna Rotunno, Weinstein’s attorney, told the jurors in her closing statement: “Have the courage to make the right decision, no matter how unpopular you might be when you get back to work or your home.”

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