Accuser of Weinstein Breaks Down During Questioning in Courtroom
In a jaw-dropping courtroom scene on Friday, one of Harvey Weinstein's accusers, Miriam Haley, couldn't hold back tears as she faced off with defense attorney Jennifer Bonjean over the details of an alleged sexual assault that took place nearly two decades ago.
"It was him who raped me, not the other way around," Haley asserted, addressing the jury.
"It's up to the jury to decide," Bonjean responded.
"No, it's not up to the jury to decide. It's my experience. And he did this to me," Haley retorted, her emotions escalating as tears streamed down her face.
Judge Curtis Farber interrupted the cross-examination, urging the jury to take a break. An emotional Haley, with red eyes and a glistening face, refused to look at Weinstein as she departed the witness stand.
The heated exchange resumed after the break, with Haley growing more composed but still showing signs of frustration. Bonjean continued to question Haley about her recollections of the alleged assault in July 2006 and its aftermath, including one instance where Haley admitted having sex with Weinstein against her will, but not actively fighting back.
"You didn't say, 'Hey, what you did to me the other night wasn't cool?'" Bonjean asked.
"No," Haley replied, repeating that she felt "numb" during the hotel encounter.
The Plaintiff Pushed to the Limit
Harvey Weinstein stands accused of sexual assault against Miriam Haley and another woman, and rape of a third. Weinstein denies the allegations, with his lawyers arguing that his accusers had consensual relationships with the powerful film producer, which could boost their careers.
Miriam Haley, also known as Mimi Haley, became the first accuser to testify in the ongoing trial, since an appeals court overturned Weinstein's conviction in the previous trial. Haley's earlier testimony spanned only one day in 2020.
Miriam Haley alleged that Weinstein attacked her following an invitation to his home, stating he merely wished to say hello. At the time, she had briefly worked as a production assistant on the reality TV show "Project Runway," which Weinstein produced.
Haley testified earlier in the week that Weinstein had forced her into a bedroom and onto a bed, holding her down as she tried to escape, pleading, "No, no, this isn't going to happen."
Haley, along with two of her friends, testified that she told them immediately after the alleged incident that Weinstein had sexually assaulted her. Haley maintained that she never harbored romantic or sexual interests in the producer, but sought his help within the entertainment industry.
The defense lawyer challenged Haley's decision to visit Weinstein's apartment on the grounds that she found his behavior unusual and dominating. This includes his sudden home visit a few weeks prior, where he tried to persuade her to accompany him to Paris.
Haley explained her hesitation to refuse Weinstein’s request, believing it would be impolite, and feeling no immediate danger after his previous odd behavior. She found herself more defensive when questioned about the manner in which she undressed before Weinstein, who allegedly removed her tampon and forced her to perform oral sex on him.
Earlier, Bonjean drew attention to Haley's trip to Los Angeles, sponsored by Weinstein's company, after the alleged assault. "Did you think he was just being generous?" Bonjean asked.
Haley admitted she accepted the trip partly because she wanted to regain Weinstein's favor following a previous Paris invitation decline, and the Los Angeles trip seemed more appropriate as she could visit a friend as well.
"Did you want to please him, make him appreciate you?" Bonjean questioned.
"Yes, that too," Haley conceded.
The current Weinstein trial focuses on charges related to Miriam Haley, Jessica Mann (a former accuser from the initial trial who claims a 2013 rape), and Kaja Sokola (accused of performing oral sex on Weinstein in 2006). Mann and Sokola will also testify at the trial.
As a general rule, the Associated Press typically does not reveal the names of sexual assault victims, unless they consent to its use. Miriam Haley, Jessica Mann, and Kaja Sokola have granted their permission for their names to be disclosed.
- Miriam Haley, one of Harvey Weinstein's accusers, testified in court, recounting an alleged sexual assault that took place in 2006.
- Despite the defense's assertions that their relationship was consensual, Haley generally maintained that it was Weinstein who raped her.
- During the trial, Haley seemed numb as she recounted the details of the incident, including being forced onto a bed and performing oral sex against her will.
- In the midst of the heated courtroom exchange, Haley's testimony included recollections of war-and-conflicts and politics dominating the general-news and crime-and-justice sections.
- Despite her emotional state, Haley remained composed under cross-examination, testifying that she continued to seek Weinstein's help for her career out of a desire to please him.
