The highest court in New York has overturned the rape conviction of movie producer Harvey Weinstein.
In a 4-3 decision, the New York Court of Appeals ruled that the trial judge made an error by allowing testimony of uncharged, alleged prior sexual acts against individuals other than the victims in the case. The court deemed this testimony to serve no material non-propensity purpose and to unfairly prejudice Weinstein's case.
Weinstein, aged 72, wielded significant influence within the entertainment industry, and prosecutors asserted that he exploited his power to coerce aspiring female actors, akin to the alleged victims, into unwanted sexual encounters. According to the prosecution, the practice of offering career assistance in exchange for sexual favors on demand was portrayed as both a common occurrence and an open secret within the film industry.
Prosecutors argued that the testimony of women not directly involved in the criminal charges shed light on Weinstein's intent to use forcible compulsion. However, the majority opinion criticized this approach, stating that it undermined the established rule against propensity evidence, which safeguards against reaching a guilty verdict based on assumption rather than evidence.
Weinstein remains incarcerated. The Manhattan district attorney's office retains the option to pursue a retrial.
