Harvey Weinstein Sentenced to 23 Years In Prison for Sexual Assault

Disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein has been convicted and given a prison sentence for 23 years. Judge James Burke announced the convict’s punishment at the New York Supreme Court. "23 years. Harvey Weinstein has been sentenced to 23 years in prison for his crimes of rape and sexual assault. I literally cried tears of amazement, gratitude that the justice system has worked on behalf of all of his victims today," said actor Mira Sorvino in a tweet.  She was one of the women who spoke out about the former Weinstein Co. executive in Ronan Farrow’s New Yorker piece accusing Weinstein of sexual misconduct.

KEY HIGHLIGHTS

• Harvey Weinstein gets 23 years in prison for two cases of sexual assaults.
• Miriam Haley and Jessica Mann were the primary accusers.
• 2 accusers and 4 witnesses stood against Weinstein and watched as his sentence dawned over his crimes.
• Weinstein shall face prison in Upstate New York.

Crimes that Weinstein is booked for

Weinstein has been booked for two cases of sexual assaults. The judge handed out a sentence of 20 years for a criminal sex act of the first degree for forcing oral sex on a production assistant in 2006. The said production assistant was Miriam Haley.

Also, judge Burke imposed an additional punishment of 3 years on the account of a third degree rape of a woman in 2013. The said woman was a former aspiring actress, Jessica Mann.

Both the sentences are to run consecutively meaning that Weinstein shall serve the 20 year term for criminal sex act before the term of rape charges.

Accusers and 4 witnesses present for proceedings

In addition to the main accusers, Miriam Haley and Jessica Mann, four witnesses who testified against him walked into the court as a united group. As Cyrus Vance (district attorney of New York) went forth with the prosecution, Annabella Sciorra, Tarale Wulff, Lauren Young and Dawn Dunning accompanied him in the front row. Reportedly, All the women were cheered for as they were on their way to the court. Further, the New York Times reporters who were responsible for surfacing Weinstein’s story Jodi Kantor and Megan Twohey joined the hearing. Their reports had triggered the Me Too movement earlier which encouraged women to step out and report numerous cases of sexual harassment and assault.

As per the survivor Statements read out in report, Haley said that Weinstein stripped her off her dignity as a human and a woman. Also, the incident had subjected her to a loss of self-confidence and faith. She further added how she felt alone while she was going through the trauma and had no idea about women who had suffered similar abuse.

In a statement the other survivor mentioned that she has finally found her voice. “It is time for people who raped other people pay with their lives and the life they took.” She further added according to other reports.

Weinstein spoke in the courtroom and elucidated as to how we was confused as he dealt with women. Moreover, he added that- “I really feel remorse for this situation, I feel it deeply in my heart”. Also he mentioned how he believes that “we” might have different truths.

What now?

Post conviction Weinstein has been moving from the Bellevue hospital in Manhattan to the North Infirmary of the Rikers Island. He is to be sent to prison in Upstate New York post interaction with New York state department of corrections.

Weinstein is yet to face assault and rape charges in Los Angeles.

Also read- Annabella Sciorra Testifies In Court In Harvey Weinstein Trial

Vipashyana Dubey is an intern with SheThePeople