This week, Harvey Weinstein’s second trial will begin in a Los Angeles courtroom, in a case that is likely to be more expansive and intricate than his previous trial in New York.
The trial is anticipated to run up to two months, with nine sexual assault claimants – up from six in New York – testifying against Weinstein. According to ‘Variety,’ jury selection will begin on Monday and is expected to last at least two weeks as both sides attempt to exclude jurors who may be biased due to pervasive pre-trial publicity.
After being convicted of rape and sexual assault two years ago, Weinstein is currently serving a 23-year sentence.
The New York Court of Appeals has agreed to hear his case, but a conviction in Los Angeles, where he faces up to 140 years in prison, could effectively ensure that he will never be released.
In many ways, the Los Angeles trial will mimic the first. Even one of the Los Angeles victims, Jane Doe #2, testified in New York as a supportive witness.
The prosecution is expected to claim that Weinstein lured women to hotel rooms where he sexually attacked them by using his power and the prospect of job progress.
The defense is anticipated to claim that the women are lying and that some of them engaged in subsequent consensual relationships with Weinstein.
Weinstein is facing eleven accusations involving five women from 2004 to 2013. The ladies will be referred to in court as Jane Does 1 through 5, although their names may become apparent as the trial progresses.
Jane Doe 1 is an Italian model who claimed that Weinstein assaulted her at her hotel in February 2013 at the LA Italia Film Festival. Two witnesses have already been questioned by prosecutors in relation to her allegations.
Alfred Baroth, a limo driver, testified in February that he drove Weinstein from the Van Nuys airport to the festival and then to the Peninsula Hotel in Beverly Hills.
The woman claims Weinstein forced his way into her room at the Mr. C. hotel, which is adjacent to Beverly Hills, late that night.
Pascal Vicedomini, the festival’s producer, also testified last week before prosecutors. Vicedomini made a Zoom appearance and spoke through an Italian interpreter.
The lengthy interrogation was videotaped with the intention of eventually showing it to the jury.
Supposedly, Vicedomini introduced Jane Doe 1 and Weinstein, but he did not appear to recall much of the interaction.
Additionally, he was questioned if Jane Doe 1 had requested his assistance in returning Weinstein’s jacket, which he had allegedly left in her hotel room after the alleged attack. Vicedomini also had no recollection of this.
“I have no idea what jacket you’re referring to,” he said.
Four additional women were permitted to speak as so-called “previous bad actions” witnesses by Judge Lisa B. Lench. Such testimony was utilized in both the first trial of Harvey Weinstein and the trials of Bill Cosby.
“The prosecution planned to summon fifteen women as witnesses, but the judge disqualified ten of them, including Daryl Hannah and Rose McGowan.
“An additional witness, identified only as Miss I. in court, changed her mind and chose not to testify, leaving the prosecution with only four witnesses.
Friends and confidants of the accusers, with whom they would have relayed their charges contemporaneously, are also likely to testify before the jury.
Universal will release “She Said,” a feature film on the two New York Times reporters who broke the Weinstein scandal five years ago, in the middle of the trial, complicating matters for the defense.
The film, starring Zoe Kazan and Carrie Mulligan and produced by Brad Pitt, will premiere at the New York Film Festival on Thursday and hit theaters on November 18.
In August, Mark Werksman, one of Weinstein’s attorneys, advocated for a postponement in the case, stating, “This is guaranteed to be a major issue in the public’s mind.”
Lench dismissed the request and stated that she would instruct the jury members not to view the film.
She stated, “I don’t believe there will ever be a day when there is no media coverage of this case.”