Alleged Victim Describes Shocking Incident: 2006 Sexual Assault Claim against Weinstein
ARTICLE REWRITE:
Manhattan's courtroom echoed with Miriam Haley's tale once more, five years after she initially testified to a jury against Harvey Weinstein. This time, she recounted his alleged forced oral sex in 2006, adding some fresh details to her initial account.
"The unbearable became real," Haley emotionally revealed, as she described the gut-wrenching incident. Weinstein, seated between his legal team, refused to acknowledge her words, pleading not guilty to the sexual assault charges.
Haley, a Swede-raised advertising professional, was the first of Weinstein's accusers to take the stand in his retrial. Her initial conviction was overturned by New York's highest court, leading to this retrial.
During her first trial, Haley's emotional testimony included sobs. This time, she presented a calm demeanor, answering graphic questions from the prosecution with composure, save a brief moment of teary eyes.
While her core story remained the same, she shared some new details. One of these included Weinstein's comment after the alleged assault or a subsequent encounter, "Don't you think we're much closer now?" Haley also recalled telling him, "You know you can't keep doing this."
Weinstein's defense team hasn't yet cross-examined Haley. They argue that all of Weinstein's accusers willingly participated in sexual encounters with the Hollywood mogul in the hope of advancing their careers.
The Alleged Assault Unfolded
Born in Finland, Haley's connection with Weinstein began through mutual contacts. She briefly worked as a production assistant on Weinstein's reality show, "Project Runway." Their interactions varied, ranging from inappropriate and suggestive to professional and polite.
Haley stated that her intentions were purely professional - not personal or romantic - when dealing with the influential film producer, known for films like "Shakespeare in Love" and "Gangs of New York."
Accepting an invitation to visit Weinstein's Manhattan apartment one evening, she explained, was odd to refuse. She was scheduled to fly the next day, courtesy of Weinstein's company, to a film premiere of "Clerks II."
After some casual conversation on the living room sofa, Weinstein lunged to kiss her. Haley jumped up to retreat, only for Weinstein to grab and force her into a bedroom. There, he allegedly pinned her down, ignoring her pleas as he performed oral sex on her.
Haley describes feeling shocked, disgusted, and humiliated following the incident. She confided in two friends about Weinstein's alleged assault, but chose not to report it due to fear of immigration troubles given her work on "Project Runway" while holding a tourist visa.
Post-Assault Interactions
Despite the alleged assault, Haley continued to communicate with Weinstein. Over the following months and years, she reached out to him, discussing industry matters and expressing her desire for work.
her messages, filled with professional jargon and warm phrases like "lots of love," aimed to gain Weinstein's professional backing, Haley testified. She described suppressing her feelings as a coping mechanism.
At the first trial, Weinstein's lawyers underscored Haley's continued exchanges as a sign of her willingness to maintain a relationship. However, during this retrial, prosecutors delved deeper into these contacts, possibly preparing to counter the defense's arguments aimed at discrediting Haley's testimony.
The retrial includes charges related to Haley and another accuser from the original trial, Jessica Mann. Mann alleges that Weinstein raped her in 2013. Weinstein is also facing a charge of forcing oral sex on former model Kaja Sokola in 2006. Both Mann and Sokola are expected to testify in this trial.
Note: Our Website typically does not disclose the names of those who allege sexual assault. However, Haley, Mann, and Sokola have given their consent for their names to be used in this case.
[1] https://abc7ny.com/entertainment/harvey-weinstein-accuser-mimi-haleyi-testifies-again-in-retrial/12839433/[2] https://www.courtlistener.com/opinion/6130256/the-people-of-the-state-of-new-york-v-harvey-weinstein/
- The media coverage of Miriam Haley's retrial testimony against Harvey Weinstein has expanded beyond crime-and-justice news to include general-news, entertainment, and immigration topics.
- The movie industry, entertainment media, and even business sectors are closely following the Harvey Weinstein case due to its potential impact on casting decisions, public perception, and employment practices in the entertainment industry.
- Celebrities and prominent figures have shown interest in weighing in on the Harvey Weinstein trial, expressing opinions on social media and interviews about the importance of justice and the handling of sexual assault allegations in the entertainment world.
- Weinstein's defense team might try to leverage the alleged accommodations and continued communication between Haley and Weinstein after the assault to cast doubt on her claims and portray her as complicit in their media strategy for the retrial.
- In light of the Harvey Weinstein trial, immigration authorities and advocacy groups are reminded of the potential vulnerabilities and challenges faced by immigrants who are victims of crime, particularly when they lack legal status or fear reporting incidents due to fear of deportation or visa revocation.
