Weinstein’s Courtroom Comeback
During a chilly Tuesday in New York, the former Hollywood titan Harvey Weinstein slipped into a courtroom in a dark blazer, jeans, and a tie and offered a single word that turned the room into a hush: “Not guilty.” The 66‑year‑old producer faced three serious counts — rape, alleged forced oral sex, and another flagrant sex crime — that could land him up to 25 years behind bars.
What’s the Story?
- Weinstein was accused of forcing a 2004‑era aspiring actress to perform oral sex on him, and of raping another woman during a 2013 Manhattan hotel stay.
- He has two divorces, five children, and a reputation that once brought Oscars, now tarnished by a storm of accusations from nearly 100 women over two decades.
- “A woman with a 10‑year affair tested the limits of consent,” defense attorney Benjamin Brafman told reporters, but the claims remain unverified.
Hollywood’s Hot Take
Stars like Salma Hayek, Gwyneth Paltrow, Angelina Jolie, and the outspoken Asia Argento have spoken up, some even stating they were raped. The #MeToo ripple sparked down under men in power, from Kevin Spacey’s fall to Bill‑Cosby’s conviction.
Stressed by Legal Fire
- Weinstein is free on a $1 million bail, wearing a GPS tracker, and can only travel between New York and Connecticut.
- More than a dozen civil lawsuits pile up, federal probes loom in London and Los Angeles, and his studio has filed for bankruptcy.
- Three actresses recently sued him for sexual assault, calling on other victims to step forward.
Verdict? Upside‑Down Prediction
Columbia law professor Suzanne Goldberg admits the outcome is a mystery: prosecutors must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Weinstein actually committed these acts. Guerre again says “the evidence is what it is” — our best lawyers can’t conjure miracles.
Final Thought
While the court of public opinion has already delivered its verdict, whether Weinstein will finally stay locked in prison or walk free remains an open‑ended drama. One thing is clear: the legal system demands hard proof, and the rest is left to the courts.
