Here’s why Harvey Weinstein’s New York rape conviction was tossed and what happens next – By Associated Press (AP News) / April 25, 2024
NEW YORK (AP) — The decision by New York’s highest court to overturn the rape conviction of movie mogul Harvey Weinstein has reopened a painful chapter in America’s reckoning with sexual misconduct by powerful figures — an era that began in 2017 and helped launch the #MeToo movement.
Here is what you need to know about why Weinstein’s rape conviction was thrown out and what happens next:
WHY WAS THE CONVICTION TOSSED?
New York’s Court of Appeals found the trial judge in the rape case prejudiced Weinstein with “egregious” improper rulings, including a decision to let women testify about allegations that Weinstein wasn’t charged with.
In its 4-3 decision, the court’s majority said it was an “abuse of judicial discretion” for Judge James Burke to allow testimony from these other women about “loathsome alleged bad acts and despicable behavior.”
