Harvey Weinstein found guilty of raping a woman and committing two other sex crimes

Disgraced American film producer Harvey Weinstein has been convicted of sex crimes including raping a woman.

A jury in Los Angeles on Monday found Weinstein guilty of rape, forced oral copulation and foreign object sexual penetration of a woman.

Weinstein was acquitted of a charge of sexual harassment. However, the jury hung on one count of rape, one count of sexual molestation by restraint, and one count of violent oral copulation. He pleaded not guilty to all seven counts.

The verdict means Weinstein, 70, will most likely spend the rest of his life in prison. Following a conviction in 2020, he is currently serving a 23-year sentence in New York on other counts of rape.

Four women brought the current case against Weinstein, with five charges of sexual assault, including two counts of violent rape. They claimed the encounters took place in Los Angeles County from 2004 to 2013.

The accusers at the time were aspiring models, including California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s wife, Jennifer Siebel Newsom, and a masseuse who worked for Weinstein. The women have made emotional statements in court over the past month.

The jury deliberated 41 hours over 10 days.

Allegations by an Italian model, identified in court as Jane Doe 1, convinced the jury to convict Weinstein. She claimed Weinstein showed up uninvited in her hotel room during a 2013 Los Angeles film festival.

Weinstein is scheduled to be sentenced in Los Angeles in early 2023. However, he must serve his current sentence before being transferred to California.

In closing arguments, Assistant District Attorney Marlene Martinez said that Hollywood “titan” Weinstein used his power to take advantage of women.

“Rapists rap,” said his colleague Paul Thompson. “You can look at the pattern.”

The conviction comes more than five years after reports surfaced of his behavior, which was a catalyst for the #MeToo movement.

Though the jury hung on charges surrounding her testimony, Jennifer Siebel Newsom praised the conviction.

“Throughout the trial, Weinstein’s attorneys used sexism, misogyny and bullying tactics to intimidate, demean and ridicule us survivors,” she explained.

“This process was a stark reminder that we as a society have a lot to do. To all the survivors out there – I see you, I hear you and I stand by you.”

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