Weinstein Declines Testimony at Sex Crimes Re-Trial Hearing
Harvey Weinstein Shuns the Witness Stand in NY Sex Crimes Retrial
In a surprising move, disgraced Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein has opted not to testify at his New York sex crimes retrial, according to his lawyer, Arthur Aidala. The decision leaves the fate of the case against Weinstein, a key figure in the #MeToo movement, in the hands of the jurors.
The trial will proceed to closing arguments on Tuesday, with the court handling other cases on Monday. The commencement of jury deliberations could occur Tuesday afternoon or Wednesday, though the exact schedule remains uncertain. Weinstein's decision not to take the stand was a significant one, given his previous strategies in both New York and California trials, where he chose not to testify and was subsequently convicted[2].
The retrial has been emotionally challenging for the three women who have testified against the former movie studio boss - actress and hairstylist Jessica Mann, production assistant and producer Miriam Haley, and model Kaja Sokola. Each has given graphic accounts of their alleged encounters with Weinstein, detailing how he had purportedly promised to help them further their careers before exploiting them[3].
Weinstein's defense has maintained that any interactions between the accused and his accusers were consensual. Under U.S. law, defendants in criminal cases are not obligated to testify, and many choose not to for various reasons, including the potential risks of cross-examination[4].
Throughout the trial, Weinstein has watched intently from the defense table, sometimes displaying visible reactions to the testimony of his accusers. Notably, he grappled with the decision to testify, considering the potential benefits and drawbacks of doing so carefully[5].
Despite the jury not hearing directly from Weinstein, they have still heard from other defense witnesses. One such witness, Talita Maia, was unavailable for the retrial, so her earlier testimony was read out to the jurors. Maia, Mann's former roommate and friend, testified during the original trial but did not attend this one. Her absence meant a strange yet compelling theatrical performance, with one court stenographer voicing the 2020 attorneys' questions while another stenographer sat in the witness box and delivered Maia's answers[6].
Maia's account suggests that Mann never mentioned any assault by Weinstein during their days together. Other witnesses, Thomas Richards among them, also met up with Mann and Weinstein shortly after the alleged assault. Both testified that they saw nothing amiss, adding another layer of intrigue to the case[7].
Living in the shadow of allegations, Weinstein's trial continues to unfold, leaving the future of his legal battle and the credibility of the testimonies in the hands of the jury.
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