New York appeals court overturns Harvey Weinstein’s 2020 rape conviction from landmark #MeToo trial

New York’s highest court has overturned Harvey Weinstein’s 2020 rape conviction, citing the judge's prejudiced rulings during the #MeToo trial. These included allowing women to testify about allegations not directly related to the case.

The state Court of Appeals' decision reopens a significant period in America’s confrontation with sexual misconduct by influential individuals. This era began in 2017 with numerous accusations against Weinstein. The court's ruling mandates a new trial, potentially subjecting his accusers to relive their traumas in court again.

Weinstein, 72, has been serving a 23-year sentence in a New York prison for criminal sex acts and rape.

However, he will remain incarcerated due to a separate conviction in Los Angeles in 2022. His lawyers argued that Judge James Burke’s actions heavily favored the prosecution, essentially turning the trial against Weinstein.

This overturning of Weinstein’s conviction marks another setback for the #MeToo movement. It comes after the U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear an appeal regarding Bill Cosby’s sexual assault conviction being overturned by a Pennsylvania court.

Weinstein’s conviction had been celebrated as a significant milestone by activists and advocates but faced scrutiny from his legal team and, ultimately, the Court of Appeals during the hearing in February.