The 2020 rape conviction for Harvey Weinstein was overturned by a New York court Thursday, making way for a new trial to be set.
The New York court of appeals overturned the conviction of three women claiming the judge allowed testimony from women that had nothing to do with the case.
The court said that testimony “served no material non-propensity purpose” and “portrayed defendant in a highly prejudicial light.”
Although Weinstein’s conviction was overturned he will not be released from prison, but instead transferred to a prison in California for his prior conviction.
Weinstein, 72 is well known in the entertainment industry and prosecutors believe he abused his power to take advantage of aspiring actresses and coerced them into having sexual relations.
In 1997 actress Ashely Judd made an allegation that Weinstein propositioned her. In 2017 it was stated that Weinstein reached at least eight settlements with women accusing him of sexual abuse following Judd’s accusation.
Weinstein was arrested in 2018 and charged with first and third degree rape for one victim, and first degree criminal sex act for another woman. In 2020 he was convicted of a felony criminal sexual assault and third degree rape, but was acquitted for predatory sexual assault and first degree rape.
The Manhattan district attorney’s office said Weinstein would be tried again if the alleged victims decided to come forward and testify.
A spokesperson for District Attorney Alvin Bragg said in a statement, “We will do everything in our power to retry this case, and remain steadfast in our commitment to survivors of sexual assault.”
Weinstein maintains his innocence. He contends any sexual activity was consensual.
