Harvey Weinstein, a well celebrated and renowned name in Hollywood went on trial, Wednesday in a landmark scenario for the #Metoo movement, with prosecutors painting him as sexual predator who used his Hollywood clout to abuse women for decades, while his lawyers sought to portray his accusers as willing participants. Once one of Hollywood’s most reputed and lauded producers, Mr Weinstein has been accused of sexual misconduct by more than 80 women.
Prosecutors detailed years of alleged sexual abuse cases by Harvey Weinstein and said he “is not a harmless old man” during opening statements at his sexual assault and rape trial on Wednesday morning.
During opening statements in the high-profile rape case, New York prosecutors accused Weinstein of committing violent attacks on aspiring actresses who suffered shame and humiliation as they struggled to deal with the trauma of the encounters.
“At the end of this trial, the evidence will be clear that the man seated right there is not just a tycoon in Hollywood, he was a rapist, sexually assaulting these women when they refused to comply with his desires and his orders,” said Assistant District Attorney Meghan Hast.
Defence lawyers countered that emails from the accusers to Weinstein would show they maintained warm relations, which could undermine a case that appears to rely primarily on the testimony of the accusers.
Weinstein, 67, has pleaded not guilty to charges of assaulting two women, Mimi Haleyi and Jessica Mann. He faces up to life in prison if convicted of the most serious charge, predatory sexual assault.
Many famous actresses, have accused Weinstein of sexual misconduct. The once-powerful and respected executive brought to the screen such Oscar-winning movies as Pulp Fiction, The King’s Speech, Shakespeare in Love and Chicago and hobnobbed with the elite in Hollywood and beyond, a point prosecutors made by showing jurors a photo of Weinstein with former President Bill Clinton.
The trial opened in Manhattan on 6th January and is going on to conclude the outcome for Weinstein. The #metoo movement had taken a landmark turn for Weinstein who may have to face life behind the bars if found guilty.
