Following the choice of the New York appeals courtroom to overturn Harvey Weinstein’s 2020 rape conviction and order a brand new trial, reactions have poured in, many expressing dismay on the flip of occasions.
The courtroom on Thursday argued that the earlier ruling had dedicated critical errors in recognizing invalid testimonies within the landmark trial that drove the#MeToo motion.
The resolution was primarily based on “erroneous” occurrences through the preliminary course of, together with a choice to let girls testify about allegations that weren’t a part of the case.
‘Unfair to survivors’
Charlotte Proudman, a barrister and equal rights activist, posted on X that “every survivor who relived their trauma and gave evidence in court, will probably have to do it ALL over again. When victims say the ‘justice system’ re-traumatizes them, this is what they mean.”
Key figures within the #MeToo motion have additionally spoken out, together with Ashley Judd, the primary actress to return ahead with allegations in opposition to the film producer.
“That is unfair to survivors,” Judd advised a information convention on Thursday, in keeping with The New York Times. “We still live in our truth. And we know what happened.”
Katherine Kendall, one other of Weinstein’s accusers to talk out following the resolution, advised the Times that Thursday’s improvement was “a terrible reminder that victims of sexual assault just don’t get justice. I’m completely let down by the justice system right now,” earlier than including, “I’m sort of flabbergasted.”
DW spoke with Jayson Campadonia, information director at NBC News Radio & iHeart Media, who stated the Weinstein courtroom ruling is “sending shock waves” by means of Hollywood.
‘Tremendous victory,’ says Weinstein lawyer
Weinstein’s lawyer stated Thursday that he all the time believed the legislation was incorrectly utilized within the Hollywood producer’s trial, and hailed the overturning of the conviction as an amazing day for the US justice system.
“From the bottom of our hearts, from our collective hundreds of years of experience, we knew that Harvey Weinstein did not get a fair trial,” Arthur Aidala, head of Weinstein’s authorized workforce, advised reporters. “We all worked very hard and this is a tremendous victory for every criminal defendant in the state of New York.”
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, whose predecessor Cyrus Vance introduced the case, will now need to resolve proceed.
“We will do everything in our power to retry this case, and remain steadfast in our commitment to survivors of sexual assault,” Emily Tuttle, a spokesperson for Bragg, stated in an e-mail, in keeping with the Reuters information company.