Harvey Weinstein may face a retrial on rape charges in Manhattan on Nov. 12 as a judge set a tentative trial date during a Friday court hearing.
Judge Curtis Farber mentioned that an earlier start date in September could be possible depending on pretrial discovery progress. Mr. Weinstein’s legal team expressed their desire to move forward as soon as possible.
At 72, Mr. Weinstein has consistently denied any wrongdoing or engaging in non-consensual sexual encounters. In February 2020, jurors in Manhattan found him guilty on rape charges, but the conviction was overturned in April by the New York Court of Appeals due to a fair trial violation related to testimonies by uncharged accusers.
Last week, prosecutors from the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office indicated their intention to bring forth charges for “additional violent sexual assaults” with more women willing to testify.
The identities of the new accusers remain undisclosed, and prosecutors are seeking to keep certain evidence confidential as they prepare for a new grand jury indictment.
Judge Farber announced the appointment of a special magistrate to address discovery disputes between the parties as they review new evidence before the trial.
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A jury found Miramax film studio co-founder Harvey Weinstein guilty of sexually assaulting former production assistant Miriam Haley in 2006 and raping aspiring actress Jessica Mann in 2013. They are part of over 80 women who have accused him of sexual misconduct.
Mr. Weinstein received a 23-year prison sentence.
Prosecutors have indicated readiness to retry Mr. Weinstein by fall. If a new indictment is obtained, they may consider combining it with the original case or pursuing separate trials.
During last week’s hearing, Arthur Aidala, Mr. Weinstein’s attorney, criticized prosecutors for attempting to add more victims to the case post-overturning of the conviction.
Currently held at New York City’s Rikers Island jail, Mr. Weinstein awaits his retrial.
He also faces a 16-year sentence from a separate rape trial in California, unaffected by the New York court’s decision, with incarceration yet to begin.
Well-known for hit films like “Shakespeare in Love” and “Pulp Fiction,” Miramax filed for bankruptcy in March 2018.
