NEW YORK (AP) — The retrial of Harvey Weinstein has brought forth powerful testimony from friends of one of his accusers, Miriam Haley, who claim she revealed the details of her alleged sexual assault by Weinstein years ago.
Witness Christine Pressman, a close friend of Haley, stated that she initially suggested Haley consider dating the disgraced movie mogul. However, Haley expressed her complete disinterest in the idea, as she had ‘zero interest in dating him or sleeping with him.’ Pressman described Haley as ‘distraught’ when she eventually disclosed the alleged assault.
This testimony is part of the ongoing retrial, which revisits the case against Weinstein following the overturn of his 2020 conviction for rape and sexual assault. The New York Court of Appeals had found that prejudicial testimony was allowed during the original trial, leading to the current proceedings.
Weinstein, who maintains his innocence, is facing allegations that include not only the assault on Haley but also an additional count of forcible oral sex involving a different accuser, former model Kaja Sokola. His defense team argues that various encounters with his accusers were consensual affairs in the context of the entertainment industry.
During Thursday’s proceedings, the testimonies of Haley’s friends aimed to reinforce her claims. Elizabeth Entin, who was Haley’s roommate, recounted a conversation in July 2006 where Haley, visibly shaken, told her about the assault in which Weinstein allegedly forced oral sex upon her. At that time, Entin suggested that Haley consult a lawyer, but Haley was reluctant to proceed with such actions.
In a separate instance, Pressman recounted her own conversation with Haley in late summer 2006. She advised her against involving the police, illustrating the power imbalance by referencing Weinstein’s status: ‘Harvey Weinstein is the king of New York. He’s extremely powerful. You are not. You’re here on a tourist visa. Just let it go.’ Pressman later expressed regret over that advice, acknowledging it was a mistake.
Weinstein’s legal team challenged the credibility of these testimonies, particularly inquiring whether Haley had engaged in consensual sexual activity with Weinstein prior to the alleged assault. Pressman strongly refuted this claim, insisting that Haley never had any consensual relationships with the producer.
Haley’s testimony from the original trial described her immediate rejection of Weinstein’s advances during the assault and her subsequent detachment from the situation, stating she ‘went numb’ during what transpired.
As the trial unfolded, Weinstein’s attorneys sought a mistrial based on the perceived prejudicial nature of Pressman’s testimony, but Judge Curtis Farber denied the request, emphasizing the need to maintain fairness throughout the legal process.
The current retrial offers similarities and differences to the previous trial. For instance, Entin, during her testimony, was questioned about her earlier remarks concerning the trials, including her light-hearted comment describing her participation as her ’15 minutes of fame.’ She clarified it had been intended as a joke.
Notably, some moments of levity observed in the earlier trial were notably absent. During the prior proceedings, Entin had recounted a unique encounter involving Weinstein being unexpectedly chased by her pet Chihuahua at their apartment, a story the judge deemed off-limits for the current trials.
The accusers have maintained their anonymity in the past, but the ongoing trial has seen them step into the public light, with Haley, Jessica Mann, and Sokola formally revealing their identities.
Overall, as the legal process continues, the courtroom has once again become a stage of emotional testimony, as both sides prepare to navigate a complex narrative that reflects the struggle between power and vulnerability within the entertainment industry.
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