Weinstein was convicted by a New York court in 2020 of two counts of rape and sexual abuse and sentenced to 23 years in prison. But a higher court in New York ruled on Thursday that mistakes were made during the trial and therefore overturned Weinstein’s conviction.
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A very difficult decision for the victimized TV producer. Ashley Judd was the first actress to speak out against Weinstein at the time and now speaks of “a tough day for the survivors.” “Often survivors say that the betrayal and moral damage we suffer within the system is worse than the sexual body invasion we experienced in the first place,” Judd responds. The actress calls the court’s decision “treason”. “We know what happened and the truth is consistent,” she said.
Other actresses also made themselves heard. Actress Katherine Kendall, one of the women who accused Weinstein of sexual abuse, previously said she was shocked by the decision. “This is a horrible reminder that victims of sexual assault cannot get justice,” it said. “I am deeply disappointed in the judicial system at this time.”
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Yet she says she feels strengthened by the fact that “Weinstein will never truly be free, because his name is now synonymous with sexual abuse. Perhaps the most important thing is that we as a society have become aware of that problem. And that will continue to happen.”
Actress Mira Sorvino wrote on Twitter that she was “dismayed” by the ruling. “Since when do courts stop allowing evidence of behavioral patterns based on prior wrongdoing?” The Oscar winner was one of the first women to accuse Weinstein of sexual abuse.
In all likelihood, there will be a new trial against Weinstein. And then the man is not allowed to leave prison for the time being. He was also sentenced to 16 years in prison in 2023 for a rape case in California and will have to serve that sentence.
READ ALSO. Italian model whose testimony led to his conviction is suing Weinstein for sexual assault and emotional distress
Before the scandal, Weinstein was known as one of the most powerful figures in Hollywood. However, he fell from his pedestal at the end of 2017, when he was accused of sexual misconduct by more than a hundred women. His conviction was seen as a historic event at the time, and the revelations about his misconduct sparked the MeToo movement in 2017.
Tags: Actress Ashley Judd responds reversal Weinstein conviction hard day victims
