On Monday morning, a Los Angeles jury will proceed to listen to the sexual harassment case of Harvey Weinstein, a former movie producer who’s accused of utilizing his Hollywood affect to lure ladies into personal conferences and assault them.
The jury started deliberations on Friday afternoon after listening to closing remarks from the prosecution and had been briefed by the legislation choose.
“Rapists rape. You may have a look at the sample,” prosecutor Paul Thompson instructed the jury, urging the group to “discover justice for these victims.”
“You could have irrefutable, irrefutable proof in regards to the character of this man and what he did to those ladies,” Thompson stated.
“Do the appropriate factor,” the lawyer added.
The protection argued that the allegations had been both fabricated or occurred by mutual consent, stressing that there was no proof of the allegations.
Weinstein, 70, is charged with two counts of forcible rape and 5 counts of sexual assault involving 4 ladies; mannequin, dancer, masseur and producer. He pleaded not responsible to the seven prices towards him.
If the jury finds him responsible, Weinstein may face 60 years to life in jail, plus one other 5 years.
Weinstein was convicted of felony sexual activity and third-degree rape throughout a 2020 New York trial and is at present serving a 23-year sentence for these crimes. His attorneys appealed the decision.
Thursday marked the top of closing arguments from each the prosecution and protection, bringing the week-long trial one step nearer to a verdict.
The jury heard about 50 witnesses, together with 4 accusers who had been recognized in courtroom as Jane Doe because of the nature of their allegations.
4 different ladies testified that they’d skilled related habits from Weinstein. These alleged incidents aren’t charged on this case as they occurred exterior of Los Angeles County.
In the midst of the trial, 4 of the unique 11 prices towards Weinstein associated to the fifth Jane Doe had been dropped with out clarification.
What did both sides say?
On Thursday, protection lawyer Alan Jackson requested jurors if they may “settle for what (Jane does) as gospel,” arguing that what they stated was a scarcity of forensic proof to help their declare.
“The 5 phrases that sum up the whole prosecution case are: Take my phrase for it,” Jackson stated. “Take my phrase for it, he confirmed up in my lodge room unannounced. Take my phrase for it, I confirmed up in his lodge room. Take my phrase for it, I did not agree. Take my phrase for it, I stated no. “
Jackson referred to as the accusers “seekers of fame and fortune,” claiming they both made up their tales or profited from a “transactional relationship” with Weinstein.
Jennifer Siebel Newsom, one of many accusers, a producer, actress and spouse of a California governor, testified that Weinstein raped her in 2005, describing the various hours of “cat and mouse” that preceded her alleged assault.
Weinstein’s attorneys don’t deny the incident happened, however say he believes it was consensual.
Jackson referred to as the incident “consensual intercourse,” including, “Remorse will not be the identical as rape. And it is essential that we make that distinction on this courtroom.”
However in her closing arguments, masking a part of Wednesday and Thursday, Los Angeles County Deputy District Lawyer Marlene Martinez argued that Weinstein was a “titan” who used his energy in Hollywood to prey on and silence ladies, and singled out ladies. who testified and determined to take action. subsequently, even if they knew that they must face harsh situations in courtroom.
“The reality is that while you’re sitting right here, we’re conscious of the despicable habits of the defendant. He thought he was so highly effective that individuals would… justify his habits,” Martinez stated. “It is simply Harvey Harvey. It is simply Hollywood. And so they’ve been doing it for therefore lengthy. Everybody simply turned their heads.”
The prosecutor added: “It’s time to put an finish to the fear of the defendants, and it’s time to carry the kingmaker to justice.”
The-CNN-Wire
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