Harvey Weinstein granted an appeal more than two years after rape conviction-Jessica Kwong-Entertainment – Metro

A court has granted Harvey Weinstein an appeal in his 2020 rape conviction (Picture: Reuters)

Disgraced Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein has been granted an appeal – more than two years after being convicted of crimes including rape.

New York State of Appeals Chief Judge Janet DiFiore’s ruling on Wednesday sets the stage for oral arguments next year, a court spokesperson told NBC News.

‘I am so grateful to my attorneys for working hard and smart on this,’ stated Weinstein through a spokesman. ‘Their hard work will help me prove my innocence in the end.’

The judge’s decision ‘acknowledged the unique legal issues in this case’, Weinstein’s lawyer Arthur Aidala told NBC News.

‘We are hopeful the entire court will find that Mr. Weinstein did not receive a fair trial and reverse his conviction,’ said Aidala.

A lawyer who represented Weinstein’s accusers, Doug Wigdor, said he believes the appeal will be later be rejected.

‘I represented eight Weinstein clients including two who testified at the trial,’ stated Wigdor. ‘Weinstein is a desperate man but we are confident that New York’s highest court will ultimately reject his appeal… affirming the trial court’s conviction and sentence.’

A spokeswoman for the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office has declined to comment.

Weinstein was convicted in February 2020 of third-degree rape and two charges of committing a criminal sexual act in the first degree. He has been sentenced to 23 years in prison in New York.

Next year, the court could agree with the lower court’s ruling and uphold Weinstein’s 2020 conviction, reverse the conviction, modify his conviction by upholding and vacating some charges, or call for a new trial.

The former producer is known for films including Pulp Fiction and Shakespeare in Love, which earned him an Academy Award.

Former aspiring actress Jessica Mann and former Project Runway model Mimi Haley pressed accusations on Weinstein, leading to the conviction. He has been acquitted of a count of first-degree rape and two counts of predatory sexual assault.

In Los Angeles last year, Weinstein was charged with 11 counts of rape and sexual assault, and pleaded not guilty. He is incarcerated awaiting that trial, slated to start on October 7.

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