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HARVEY WEINSTEIN - THIS IS WHAT JUSTICE LOOKS LIKE: 20 +3 YEARS!
Brigitte Kimichik • March 16, 2020
Harvey Weinstein - This is what justice looks like: 20 + 3 years!
🚨📣💥 Wednesday, Harvey Weinstein was sentenced to 23 years in prison, almost the max sentence he was facing for his recent convictions in February. “…a first conviction…not a first offense,” noted NY County Supreme Court Justice James Burke referencing the many other alleged victims of Weinstein. Defense attorneys pleas for a maximum sentence of 5 years due to Weinstein’s 67 years of age and deteriorating health fell on deaf ears.
In February, the Manhattan jury found Weinstein guilty of a first-degree criminal sexual act (for forcing oral sex on “Project Runway” production assistant Miriam Haley in 2006), and third-degree rape (for having nonconsensual sex with then-aspiring actress Jessica Mann in 2013). Weinstein was acquitted of the most severe charges of predatory sexual assault which would have carried possible life sentences.
After the sentencing hearing ended, defense attorney, Donna Rotunno, took the mic in front of the court house. She was visibly angry, calling the sentence obscene, stating she believed the judge caved to outside pressures and the #MeToo movement. She claims Mr. Weinstein never had a fair shot and hopes the appellate court will see the ruling as a miscarriage of justice. According to his defense team, Weinstein’s sentence reflects one that was 3 times the state average for NY for similar offenses—in their view extreme and unjust. Counsel's main defense was that the evidence, including the amicable relationships between the accusers and Weinstein after the alleged assaults (including further intimate acts), does not match the claims of the accusers of what allegedly happened in those rooms. Simply put, that the victims did not behave like regular assault victims. The evidence in defense counsels’ mind supported that there was reasonable doubt of Weinstein’s guilt.
This case raises a number of issues which we will address in several blogs: Why did the victims continue relationships with Weinstein after the alleged assaults? Why is there a perception that these women 'did not behave like typical assault victims'? Why did it take them years to report Weinstein's alleged assaults? Why are women coming forward today when they did not feel comfortable coming forward for years and even decades? Why did these women put themselves in precarious positions risking sexual assault to begin with?
Harvey Weinstein will continue to claim his innocence. He will not apologize. Makes sense since his appeal is planned for this coming July, 2020. In the interim, he will be facing another criminal trial in LA.
After defense counsel left the mic post sentencing hearing, Gloria Allred stepped up to the mic and held up a sign. It read:
"This is What Justice Looks Like: 20 + 3 years".
There is nothing more to say. Let’s all be reminded what the victims in this case suffered for the many years after they were assaulted. Today these victims have some justice for themselves and for all victims of sexual assault. Fame and power are no longer a shield against prosecution and serious jail time.
This has been long time coming. Now maybe violators will think twice.
#changetheculture #MeToo #TimesUP #harveyweinstein #respectwomenatwork #womeninbusiness #justiceforwomen
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The Sandbox Series™
Addressing Workplace & Campus Issues