Harvey Weinstein convicted on three counts in sexual assault trial as sentencing looms
Los Angeles, California - An LA jury convicted former movie producer Harvey Weinstein on three charges of rape and sexual assault.
After nearly 10 days of deliberations, the jury returned on Monday afternoon with a split verdict that convicted Weinstein of three charges, while also acquitting him of one.
Per CNN, the jury could not come to a unanimous verdict on three other counts.
The three charges Weinstein was convicted of include rape, forcible oral copulation, and sexual penetration by a foreign object.
The jury acquitted the 70-year-old of felony sexual battery of a massage therapist, who was referred to as Jane Doe #3 throughout the sexual assault trial.
They were split on charges involving two other accusers – Jennifer Siebel Newsom and Lauren Young – with jurors reportedly voting 10-2 to convict Weinstein on the charge of sexual battery against Young. As for the charges of rape and forcible oral copulation of Siebel Newsom, who is the wife of California Governor Gavin Newsom, the jury was deadlocked in an 8-4 vote.
As a result, Judge Lisa B. Lench declared a mistrial on the three charges that the jury failed to return a unanimous verdict on.
Harvey Weinstein faces LA sentencing while awaiting NY appeal
The former movie producer had pleaded not guilty to all seven counts he was on trial for, which included two counts of forcible rape, two counts of sexual battery by restraint, two counts of forcible oral copulation, and one count of penetration by a foreign object.
He is already serving a 23-year sentence after being convicted of rape and sexual assault during his first criminal trial in New York in 2020. However, the New York Court of Appeals is set to hear Weinstein's appeal of the conviction in 2023.
Following the verdict, Siebel Newsom, who alleged that Weinstein raped her in 2005, reportedly said: "Harvey Weinstein is a serial predator and what he did was rape. Throughout the trial, Weinstein’s lawyers used sexism, misogyny, and bullying tactics to intimidate, demean, and ridicule us survivors. This trial was a stark reminder that we as a society have work to do. To all survivors out there – I see you, I hear you, and I stand with you."
Throughout the Los Angeles trial, prosecutors argued that Weinstein used his influence as a prestigious Hollywood producer to lure women into private settings to sexually assault them.
Weinstein could face 18-24 years in prison for the three charges he was found guilty of. The jury will have to return to the courthouse on Tuesday to hear arguments over aggravating factors, which will play a part in Weinstein's sentencing.
A sentencing date has not yet been set.
Cover photo: Collage: POOL / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP / ETIENNE LAURENT / POOL / AFP