Harvey Weinstein faces life in prison after additional 16-year sentence for sex crimes

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:

• Harvey Weinstein was sentenced to an additional 16 years in prison by a Los Angeles judge for rape and other sex crimes, on top of the 23 years he was sentenced to by a Manhattan judge in 2020.
• Weinstein addressed the court, maintaining his innocence, while Jane Doe #1, who had given an impact statement, tearfully addressed the judge, saying that Weinstein had “broken me into a million pieces” and that there was “no prison sentence long enough to undo the damage.”
• The Los Angeles District Attorney had requested the “high-term” maximum sentence of 24 years based on the prior New York City conviction.

Harvey Weinstein was sentenced to 16 years in prison by a Los Angeles judge on Thursday for rape and other sex crimes, adding to the 23-year sentence he received in Manhattan in 2020. Weinstein, who was in attendance at the sentencing, was convicted on three counts for the L.A. case: eight years for Count #1, six years for Count #2, and two years for Count #3, which the judge ordered to be served consecutively. “These are not easy decisions to make, but this is my decision,” Judge Lisa B. Lench said in the packed courtroom.

Before the sentencing, Jane Doe #1 gave an impact statement, saying that Weinstein had “broken me into a million pieces.” She thanked the jury for their verdict, but noted that “ten years later, the effects of this rape are still raw and difficult to discuss.”

Weinstein then addressed the court, stating: “I maintain that I’m innocent…I never raped or sexually assaulted Jane Doe #1. I never knew this woman, and the fact is she doesn’t know me. This is about money.” The soon-to-be 71-year-old added, “Please don’t sentence me to life in prison…I don’t deserve it. There are so many things wrong with this case.”

The Los Angeles District Attorney had requested the maximum sentence of 24 years, based on the prior New York City conviction. It is almost certain that Weinstein will die in prison, given that he is already behind bars and will be nearly 90 years old by the time he is eligible for parole. Although he has denied the allegations, Weinstein was found guilty in December 2019 of all charges relating to Jane Doe #1. The jury found him not guilty of sexual battery of Jane Doe #2, and they were deadlocked on charges for Jane Doe #3 and California First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom.

Weinstein’s attorneys have filed for a new trial, claiming that the jury was left with a false impression of Jane Doe #1 and her allegations, and specifically criticizing the LA Deputy DAs for creating a “false version” of events. The motion was denied by Judge Lench. Meanwhile, Jane Doe #1 has filed a civil lawsuit against Weinstein claiming sexual battery, false imprisonment, negligence, and intentional infliction of emotional distress regarding the alleged February 2013 sexual assault in her Beverly Hills hotel room. The defense team claims that witnesses lied on the stand during the trial and that Jane Doe #1 is looking for money.

Source: Deadline