Closing arguments began Tuesday morning at Harvey Weinstein’s retrial in New York City, as his defense team and the prosecution presented their final cases to the jury.
Weinstein’s attorney, Arthur Aidala, opened the proceedings for the defense, reiterating their argument that the accusers had fabricated their stories and that all of their interactions with Weinstein were consensual. He urged the jury to acquit Weinstein if they harbored any doubts about the prosecution’s evidence.
“This isn’t about innocence,” Aidala told the jury. “It’s about whether the prosecution has proven their case beyond a reasonable doubt.”
Aidala later referred to the accusers as “women with broken dreams,” claiming they were seeking to profit from their interactions with the former Hollywood mogul. He emphasized the defense’s stance that Weinstein’s relationships with the women—Miriam Haley, Kaja Sokola, and Jessica Mann—were “transactional.”
He further claimed that Weinstein was the real victim, stating, “He’s the one getting abused here,” and pointed out that Weinstein had paid for the women’s travel expenses and invited them to events. Aidala suggested that the women, unable to succeed in the entertainment industry, were angry with Weinstein for not helping them further their careers.
A key part of the defense’s closing argument involved a detailed analysis of each accuser’s testimony. Aidala pointed out the women’s continued interactions with Weinstein after the alleged assaults and questioned the consistency of their statements during cross-examination.
Aidala also referenced the testimony of cardiologist Ewa Sokola, Kaja’s older sister, who had testified that while Kaja seemed upset after the alleged assault, she did not mention any assault. Aidala argued that this supported the defense’s claim that nothing untoward had occurred.
As the defense wrapped up, Aidala argued that the accusers were motivated by a desire for fame and financial gain, asking, “If this guy wasn’t Harvey Weinstein, would we even be here?”
The prosecution quickly countered, with District Attorney Nicole Blumberg presenting their closing remarks. Blumberg described Weinstein as a “titan” in the entertainment industry at the time of the alleged assaults, using his power to manipulate and “physically and emotionally overpower” the accusers, all of whom sought careers in Hollywood.
“He didn’t care about their careers,” Blumberg said. “He cared about their bodies.”
Blumberg rejected the defense’s claim that Weinstein was the real victim, calling the assertion “offensive” and affirming that Weinstein was “no victim” in this case.
The prosecution’s closing argument will continue on Wednesday morning.
Weinstein, who was convicted of sexual assault and rape in 2020, is currently serving a 23-year sentence in New York. However, in April 2024, his conviction was overturned by the New York Court of Appeals, which found that the inclusion of testimonies from three other accusers was prejudicial and should not have been allowed. Weinstein was also sentenced to an additional 16 years in Los Angeles in 2022 after a separate conviction for rape.
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