Harvey Weinstein, currently serving a 23-year sentence for sex crimes in New York, is back on trial on criminal charges in Los Angeles, the city where he once held sway as one of the most powerful producers in Hollywood.
Weinstein, 70, is facing 11 charges of rape and sexual assault involving five women in the Beverly Hills and Los Angeles area between 2004 and 2013. Opening arguments are expected to start on Monday. Weinstein has pleaded not guilty.
One of Weinstein's accusers is Jennifer Siebel Newsom, a documentary filmmaker, actress and wife of California Governor Gavin Newsom.
Ms Siebel Newsom will give evidence that Weinstein sexually assaulted her during what she thought was going to be a business meeting, her lawyer, Elizabeth Fegan, said.
The identities of the other accusers are being kept secret in court documents, which refer to them as Jane Does 1 through 5. Weinstein has said all of his sexual encounters with women were consensual.
One potential witness against Weinstein is actor Mel Gibson, who prosecutors said was a friend of one of the accusers.
Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Lisa Lench ruled last week that Gibson could give evidence about what the friend told him about Weinstein, though the judge said she could change her mind depending on the friend's testimony.
Weinstein, the Oscar-winning producer of Shakespeare in Love and The King's Speech, was convicted of sexual misconduct in New York in February 2020. Allegations against him helped fuel the #MeToo movement of women speaking out about harassment and abuse by men in Hollywood and beyond.
He was extradited from New York to a Los Angeles prison in July 2021. Now in declining health, he has been seated in a wheelchair during jury selection in Los Angeles Superior Court.
In New York, Weinstein is appealing his conviction and 23-year prison sentence. He could face up to 140 years in prison if convicted on all 11 of the charges in Los Angeles.
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Actor and director Mel Gibson can testify at the rape and sexual assault trial of Harvey Weinstein, a judge ruled. Invision / AP -
Former film producer Harvey Weinstein appears in court at the Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Centre in Los Angeles, California. AP -
Jennifer Siebel Newsom, a documentary filmmaker and actor, is among the accusers of Harvey Weinstein who will testify at his rape and sexual assault trial that began this month. AP -
A 2021 poll by the The Associated Press-Norc Centre for Public Affairs Research suggested more Americans under 30 would be likely to speak out if they were a victim of sexual misconduct than older adults. AP -
Weinstein's wife Georgina Chapman left her husband after sexual harassment and assault claims were made against him. EPA -
Thousands of women responded to Alyssa Milano’s call to tweet “MeToo” to raise awareness of sexual harassment and assault after the recent revelation of decades of allegations of sexual misconduct against movie mogul Harvey Weinstein. Invision / AP. -
Actress Uma Thurman said Weinstein assaulted her twice. Reuters -
Italian actress Asia Argento became a leading figure in the #MeToo movement after accusing Weinstein of rape. AFP -
Cate Blanchett is an outspoken member of the Time’s Up movement. Invision / AP -
Milano said she was in bed with her two young children when an idea struck her as a great way to elevate the Weinstein conversation, through the #MeToo movement. Invision / AP -
Milano listens as Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh testifies before the Senate judiciary committee on Capitol Hill in Washington. AP -
Rose McGowan and Rosanna Arquette testified against Weinstein in 2020. Reuters -
Model Cara Delevingne also made claims of mistreatment by Weinstein. Getty -
Annabella Sciorra's testimony helped to secure the 2020 conviction against Weinstein. AP -
Paz de la Huerta claimed that Weinstein raped her twice in 2010. AFP -
Salma Hayek joined the scores of actresses to accuse Weinstein, alleging that the fallen Hollywood mogul sexually harassed her. AFP -
Lisa Bloom is a lawyer who advised Weinstein and represented one of the accusers of Ghislaine Maxwell. Getty / AFP -
The entrance to the Rikers Island penitentiary, which Weinstein now calls home. AFP
