Harvey Weinstein, the disgraced Hollywood producer, has been sentenced to 16 years in prison for a rape conviction in Los Angeles, adding to his more than two-decade-long sentence in New York, gistpeople reports
Weinstein, 70, was convicted in the Los Angeles case in December, three years after being convicted in a New York City sex crimes trial. Weinstein’s new sentence will run concurrently with the 23-year sentence he received in his New York trial, giving him a total of 39 years in prison for sex crimes convictions.
A jury in Los Angeles found Weinstein guilty of three counts relating to the accuser known as Jane Doe 1: forcible rape, forcible oral copulation, and sexual penetration by foreign object.
The jury acquitted him of sexual battery by restraint involving a second accuser, Jane Doe 2, but was unable to reach verdicts on allegations involving Jane Doe 3 and Jane Doe 4.
Gloria Allred, an attorney, filed a motion in court on Tuesday on behalf of three women after a judge refused to allow them to read victim impact statements during their sentencing. According to Allred’s motion, the decision violates the women’s rights under Marsy’s Law, which grants the right to those who are directly or indirectly harmed by a crime.
The judge declined to postpone the sentencing to hear Allred’s appeal, but Jane Doe 1 was allowed to make a statement to the court prior to the judge’s decision.
“I was excited about my future,” she told the court, sobbing. “After the defendant brutally assaulted me, everything changed. I quickly became invisible to myself and the rest of the world. I had misplaced my identity. I was brokenhearted, empty, and alone.”
According to Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón, Weinstein could have faced up to 24 years in prison in the Los Angeles case.
His legal team filed an appeal, requesting a new trial, claiming that evidence about a romantic relationship between Jane Doe 1 and a witness was excluded, which could have influenced the jury’s decision.
The request was denied by Superior Court Judge Lisa B. Lench.
Weinstein, who was dressed in a wheelchair and a gray county jail uniform, was also given the opportunity to speak. He asserted his innocence, accusing Jane Doe 1 of being a “actress” with the ability to “turn on” her tears.
“Please do not imprison me for life. I didn’t earn it “According to Weinstein. “There are numerous issues with this case. This is merely a setup.”
Later that day, he issued a statement accusing Jane Doe 1 of fabricating her allegations as part of a “money grab.” He also accused her of lying about herself.
“It’s incredible to be convicted of a crime I didn’t even witness. I am not guilty. I never assaulted or raped anyone “He stated.
