Harvey Weinstein was found guilty of assault and rape by a New York jury. The former film producer is on trial for the rape of two women. The punishment he receives is later determined by the judge.
It took the twelve-member jury five days to reach a verdict on Weinstein.
The revelations about Weinstein, who are accused by more than eighty women of cross-border sexual behavior, were an important factor in triggering the # MeToo movement.
Weinstein was acquitted of three more serious charges that could have resulted in him for life. This includes, for example, rape using violence or a weapon. The jury considers him guilty of forcing sex under threat of violence, with the women in question expressly not agreeing to sexual acts.
The numerous accusations against Weinstein sometimes go back decades and many cases are barred, but he himself maintains that all the sexual relationships he had were with mutual consent.
Two faces
The prosecutors have tried to show that Weinstein is a serial rapist, manipulating actresses and other women by offering them ample prospects in Hollywood. He invited them to hotel rooms or apartments and then forced the women to have sex with him.
Actress Jessica Mann, one of the women involved in this criminal case, described Weinstein as a man with two faces: charming in public, but frightening when you were with him. On one of the litigation days, Mann became so upset with her testimony that the judge ended the hearing prematurely.
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