Harvey Weinstein's rape conviction overturned in New York
The disgraced movie producer was convicted of rape in February 2020.
ByAaron Katersky
April 25, 2024, 8:12 AM
The rape conviction of movie producer Harvey Weinstein has been overturned by New York's highest court.
The New York Court of Appeals, in a 4-3 opinion, overturned Weinstein's conviction on sex crimes against three women, finding the trial judge "erroneously admitted testimony of uncharged, alleged prior sexual acts against persons other than the complainants of the underlying crimes."
The court said that testimony "served no material non-propensity purpose" and "portrayed defendant in a highly prejudicial light."
Weinstein, 72, was a well-known, powerful man within the entertainment industry and prosecutors said he abused his power to take advantage of aspiring female actors, like the alleged victims, to coerce them into unwanted sexual encounters. According to the prosecution, the quid pro quo of assisting them with their careers in exchange for sexual favors on demand was both common behavior and a well-known secret throughout the film industry.
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https://abcnews.go.com/US/harvey-weinstein-conviction-overturned-new-york/story?id=109621776
