Harvey Weinstein arrives at court for start of rape trial
Written by News on 22/01/2020
Harvey Weinstein has arrived at court for the start of his rape trial.
The former movie mogul entered the courthouse in New York City without a walking frame which he has used at previous appearances.
Opening statements and the first witness evidence are expected on Wednesday in the trial, which has been described as the biggest of the #MeToo era.
Weinstein, 67, is charged with raping a woman in a Manhattan hotel room in 2013 and sexually assaulting another woman in 2006.
He has pleaded not guilty and has insisted any sexual activity was consensual.
If convicted, he could face life in prison.
Asked by reporters on his way into court whether he thinks he will get a fair trial, Weinstein replied: “Yes.”
When asked why he believed that, he added: “I have good lawyers.”
Since 2017, more than 80 women, including several famous actresses, have accused Weinstein of sexual misconduct dating back decades – although his New York trial involves only two allegations.
Weinstein has denied the claims, saying any sexual encounters he had were consensual.
The allegations helped fuel the #MeToo movement, in which women have gone public with misconduct allegations against powerful men in business, entertainment and politics.
But Justice Burke told potential jurors at a previous court appearance: “This trial is not a referendum on the #MeToo movement.
“You must decide this case on the evidence.”
More follows…
(c) Sky News 2020: Harvey Weinstein arrives at court for start of rape trial
