Lawyers made declarations of opening on Wednesday in the new New York trial of Harvey Weinstein, the prosecutors accusing the film producer in disgrace to use his immense power in Hollywood to harass sexually and abuse three women.
“The accused wanted their bodies, the more they resist, the more he obtained with force,” said District District Prosecutor Shannon Lucey on Wednesday.
In his third trial in five years, Weinstein is accused of having sexually abused a former television production assistant, a budding actress and a model.
The former film’s magnate pleaded not guilty and, in court, his lawyer sought to question the complaints and the credibility of women.
Lawyer Arthur Aidala told the jury that the accusation file “would fall flat” after hearing all the evidence.
“They will ask you to give meaning to things that simply do not make sense,” he said.
A court of appeal canceled Weinstein’s previous conviction for sexual crimes in New York last April, before he was charged with new accusations of sexual assault in the state in September.
Last week, 12 jurors – seven women and five men – were chosen to weigh Weinstein’s fate.
On Wednesday, Ms. Lucey spent an hour making an opening declaration, telling the jurors that three women had been victims of the abuse of a Power Broker Hollywood who “had rubbed shoulders with celebrities and politicians”.
The new trial in New York is centered on two women who brought allegations against Weinstein for her trial in 2020, actress Jessica Mann and the former television production assistant Miriam Haley. This time, the trial also includes allegations of the former Polish model and actress Kaja Sokola, who accused Weinstein of having attacked her at the age of 16.
On Wednesday, Ms. Lucey told the three stories of women of assault and harassment, sparing little details. The alleged meetings often involved Weinstein bringing women to his room under the cover of a business meeting, before he was forced.
The victims “have kept their shame and pain for themselves” for years because of the role of Weistein as a man who “defined the field” of action and cinema, said Ms. Lucey.
During his hour of opening declarations that followed, Weinstein’s lawyer adopted a combative approach, accusing women of having “mutually beneficial” sex with Weinstein and of being motivated by money.
“These women are dependent on this fame,” said Aidala. “They want to be heroes.”
Mr. Aidala argued that Weinstein could not attack women because they were in contact with him and sent him friendly messages after the meetings.
Last April, a court of appeal said that Weinstein, now 73, had not received a fair trial in New York in 2020 because the judge supervising his case allowed the testimony of women who made allegations against him for conduct that he was never charged.
Weinstein had served a 23 -year sentence in a New York prison after being sentenced.
He was also found guilty of rape during a separate trial in California in 2022 and was sentenced to 16 years in this case.
Weinstein has several medical conditions, including cancer and diabetes. In September, he was transported to hospital for cardiac surgery and was held in a secure hospital unit.
A judge approved a request from Weinstein’s lawyers to let him stay at the Bellevue hospital in Manhattan when he is not in court.
His lawyers had complained that he received poor medical treatment in non -hygienic conditions in the infamous of ISLAND Rikers prison – that officials have long declared that they were planning to close – although this decision was delayed.
In total, Weinstein was accused of sexual misconduct, assault and rape of more than 100 women.
He is likely to spend the rest of his life in prison, because he has not yet started to serve his 16 -year -old Californian sentence.
The decision of its accusers to manifest itself and its subsequent condemnation in New York, galvanized the #MeToo movement against sexual abuse by powerful men.
Addressing jurors on Wednesday, Ms. Lucey said that the movement had allowed the three women to come forward in the criminal case against Weinstein after “suddenly realized that they were not alone”.
Before the allegations against him appeared, Weinstein and his brother Bob were one of Hollywood power players.
Weinstein co -founded Miramax Film Studio, whose successes included Shakespeare in Love, which won the best film at the Academy Awards, and Pulp Fiction.
His films received more than 300 Oscar nominations and 81 victories.
The former film’s magnate also faced a number of civil proceedings, including a group of women who accused him of sexual harassment and rape and reached a regulation of $ 19 million (£ 14.2) with him in 2020.
