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Former television production assistant Miriam Haley testified on Wednesday morning at Harvey Weinstein’s retrial in New York, detailing her allegations of assault by the former Hollywood mogul in 2006.
The retrial commenced on April 23, following the New York Court of Appeals’ decision to overturn Weinstein’s 2020 rape conviction due to issues with testimony and legal rulings. Weinstein, now 73 years old, faces charges for a criminal sex act for allegedly forcing Haley to perform oral sex, as well as third-degree rape concerning actress Jessica Mann, who asserts that Weinstein raped her in a hotel in 2013.
Both Haley and Mann testified in Weinstein’s initial trial, with Mann expected to provide further evidence against him in this retrial. Kaja Sokola, a Polish model, will also testify, alleging that Weinstein assaulted her when she was 16, an accusation not presented during the 2020 trial. Consequently, Weinstein faces an additional charge of criminal sex acts in the current proceedings.
Haley recounted meeting Weinstein at a film premiere in London in 2004 and later at the Cannes Film Festival, where she inquired about job openings for production assistants in New York. While still in France, he invited her to a hotel under the pretense of a business meeting.
Upon arrival, Haley was met with inappropriate comments and requests for a massage. Reflecting on the encounter, she stated in court, “I felt taken aback. I felt humiliated.” Despite the discomfort, Weinstein later assisted her in securing a production assistant role in 2006 on the reality show “Project Runway,” produced by The Weinstein Company.
Haley described how, despite her rejections of his advances, she later agreed to attend a film premiere with Weinstein in Los Angeles. After accepting his invitation, he asked her to his Soho apartment, where, she testified, he assaulted her. “He was grabbing me and touching me,” Haley recounted, acknowledging her realization that she was being raped.
During the assault, Haley recalled telling Weinstein she was on her period, but he allegedly continued nonetheless, forcibly removing her tampon. “I decided in that moment that the safest thing to do is just to check out, endure it and have it over with and leave,” she said.
Haley’s friend, Elizabeth Entin, who previously lived with her, testified about a conversation where Haley disclosed her experience. “I said, ‘Miriam, that sounds like rape,’” Entin recalled.
Weinstein, who now appears in a wheelchair due to health issues, has pleaded not guilty to all charges and denies any allegations of sexual assault, arguing that his interactions with the accusers were consensual, part of mutually beneficial agreements arising from his position in Hollywood.
Although Weinstein’s 23-year prison sentence in New York was overturned last year, he still must serve a 16-year sentence from a 2022 rape conviction in Los Angeles, which he is appealing. Consequently, New York authorities have kept him in state custody throughout the past year.
During the retrial, Weinstein’s defense team has requested a mistrial three times, all of which have been rejected by Judge Curtis Farber.
The latest mistrial request from attorney Arthur Aidala arose after Haley testified about her silence regarding the assault, emphasizing that she was unaware of other victims. Aidala sought to have her remark struck from the record, asserting it tainted the jury, but Judge Farber only granted the request to strike the statement and denied the mistrial motion.
The retrial is expected to continue for several weeks as the case unfolds.
Source
www.thewrap.com