Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Grand jury indicts Harvey Weinstein on rape and criminal sex act charges

Former film mogul’s attorneys say he intends to plead not guilty

Jeremy B. White
San Francisco
Thursday 31 May 2018 07:45 BST
Comments
Film producer Harvey Weinstein arrives at Manhattan Criminal Court in New York
Film producer Harvey Weinstein arrives at Manhattan Criminal Court in New York (REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

A New York grand jury has indicted former film mogul Harvey Weinstein on rape and criminal sex act charges.

In a statement announcing that Mr Weinstein would face charges of rape in the first and third degrees and a criminal sexual act in the first degree, Manhattan district attorney Cyrus Vance said the emerging criminal case meant Mr Weinstein would face “accountability for the crimes of violence with which he is now charged”.

“Our office will try this case not in the press, but in the courtroom where it belongs”, Mr Vance said.

Mr Weinstein surrendered to authorities last week, capping a months-long downfall that has seen dozens of women accuse him of sexual misconduct or assault and led him to be forced out of the film company he co-founded.

He has consistently denied wrongdoing, and his legal team has said he intends to plead not guilty. A statement issued on behalf of Mr Weinstein’s attorney Benjamin Brafman said his client was “unfairly denied” information about the grand jury proceedings and given insufficient time to prepare, compelling Mr Weinstein to not appear before the grand jury.

Mr Brafman also questioned the allegations against Mr Weinstein - saying that one was more than 14 years old and that another came from a woman who had been in consensual relationship with Mr Weinstein - and Mr Vance’s motives.

“Regardless of how compelling Mr Weinstein's personal testimony might be, an indictment was inevitable due to the unfair political pressure being placed on Cy Vance to secure a conviction”, the statement said.

Harvey Weinstein led out of court in handcuffs after being charged with rape and sexual abuse

In his own statement, Mr Vance dismissed Mr Weinstein’s “recent assault on the integrity of the survivors and the legal process”.

“We are confident that when the jury hears the evidence, it will reject these attacks out of hand”, Mr Vance said.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in