Harvey Weinstein retrial begins: A recap of the sexual assault cases that sparked #MeToo

The retrial of disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein—whose original prosecution in 2017 played a pivotal role in launching the global #MeToo movement—begins Tuesday in a Manhattan courtroom.

Harvey Weinstein, once a powerful personality in Hollywood as the co-founder of Miramax Films, became synonymous with sexual violence after decades of accusations from women across the film industry. Weinstein was initially celebrated for producing iconic films like Pulp Fiction, Shakespeare in Love, and Sex, Lies, and Videotape, but behind closed doors, he was accused of using his position to exploit, harass, and assault women, particularly aspiring actresses and assistants.

In 2017, investigative reports from The New York Times and The New Yorker exposed the extent of Weinstein’s predatory behavior, leading to a global reckoning that gave rise to the #MeToo movement. Women began to speak out, sharing their stories of harassment, assault, and rape at Weinstein’s hands.

The first conviction

In 2020, Weinstein was tried and convicted in New York on two charges: the sexual assault of former production assistant Mimi Haleyi in 2006 and the rape of aspiring actress Jessica Mann in 2013. The jury’s guilty verdict resulted in a 23-year prison sentence. However, Weinstein’s legal team appealed the conviction, arguing that the jury had been improperly influenced by testimony from women who were not part of the charges he faced.

The appeal and setback to #MeToo

In April 2024, the New York Court of Appeals overturned Weinstein’s 2020 conviction. The court’s decision to void the verdict was a significant blow to the #MeToo movement, which had fought for justice for survivors of sexual violence. The court ruled that the way witnesses were handled in the original trial was unlawful, creating an atmosphere of uncertainty about how cases of sexual assault would be handled in the future.

The new trial and ongoing legal battles

Weinstein, now 73 and serving a 16-year sentence for a separate conviction in California, is set for a retrial in New York, which began in April 2025. He faces charges of the sexual assault of Mimi Haleyi in 2006, the rape of Jessica Mann in 2013, and a new count of sexual assault in Manhattan in 2006.

The retrial comes after an investigation into his misconduct, which has seen over 80 women accuse him of harassment, assault, or rape. Accusers have ranged from famous actresses like Gwyneth Paltrow and Angelina Jolie.

Weinstein has maintained that the encounters were consensual and has never admitted to any wrongdoing. His defense team, led by lawyer Arthur Aidala, argues that the case should be judged without the influence of public opinion or the high-profile protests surrounding his original trial. Weinstein’s legal team hopes that the current political and social climate will allow for a fairer trial.

However, victims of Weinstein’s actions continue to fight for justice. The three women whose testimonies were central to his 2020 conviction—Mimi Haleyi, Jessica Mann, and another survivor—are expected to testify once more in the retrial.

Impact on #MeToo and legal precedents

The overturning of Weinstein’s conviction underscores the ongoing struggles sexual assault survivors face in seeking justice.

As the retrial continues, the world will be watching, not just for the fate of Weinstein, but for the future of legal recourse for sexual assault survivors.