Harvey Weinstein, a disgraced Hollywood film producer, argued that his “hellhole” prison conditions were intolerable, according to US media, and that he should have retried on a sex offense charge on Wednesday.
In a Manhattan courtroom for a hearing prior to his retrial for rape and sexual assault, which follows last year’s legal overturn of his 2020 convictions, Weinstein, 72, appeared frail.
The judge has chosen to move the proceedings and set the retrial date for April 15.
The former movie mogul, who is in poor health and had heart surgery at the time last year, claimed he was unsure of “how much longer I can hold on,” according to People magazine.
After being found guilty of two separate rape counts in California, Weinstein is currently serving a 16-year prison sentence.
His 2020 conviction in New York stemmed from his involvement in an actress’s rape and sexual assault and forced oral sex with a production assistant.
In that case, he received a 23-year prison sentence.
The New York Court of Appeals, however, overturned that conviction.
The #MeToo movement, which allegedly involved women fighting sexual misconduct, was sparked by allegations against Weinstein in 2017.
More than 80 women accused him of harassment, sexual assault or rape, including prominent actors Angelina Jolie, Gwyneth Paltrow and Ashley Judd.
Weinstein asserted that any sexual encounters were consensual.
Miramax Films was founded by Weinstein and his brother Bob.
Their hits included 1994’s “Pulp Fiction” and 1998’s “Shakespeare in Love”, for which Weinstein shared a best picture Oscar.
Source: Channels TV
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