We're Back: Ken Auletta On "Hollywood Ending: Harvey Weinstein and the Culture of Silence"

The New York Court of Appeals, overturned the Hollywood producer’s conviction for rape and sexual assault. But they only confirmed what we thought when we covered the Harvey Weinstein trial in 2020. On this bonus episode of The Harvey Weinstein Trial: Unfiltered you’ll hear in more detail why we were right all along. This was mob justice, this was politicized justice. This was the New York district attorney putting politics before the law. Sound familiar? We told you then you may not like Harvey Weinstein, but they’ll use the same tactics to go after you and the ones you love. That’s why we had to call out this miscarriage of justice when we saw it.

On Wednesday the Harvey Weinstein trial finally came to a close as Weinstein was sentenced to 23 years in prison for rape and sexual assault. Weinstein was convicted last month for sexually assaulting Mimi Haleyi and for raping Jessica Mann. Before today's sentencing, Weinstein was facing up to 29 years in prison. The defense sought a small sentence of only five years and argued that Weinstein would be unable to survive in prison no longer than five years. Additionally, the defense argued that Weinstein had already faced significant financial and personal losses due to the trial. Weinstein will likely serve his sentence in Rikers Island jail in New York.

Finally - a verdict in the case against Harvey Weinstein. But first there was discussion about a mysterious letter received by the court claiming serious jury misbehavior. Is it true? Was it a prank? Then the jury presented their verdict to the court - Weinstein was found guilty on two counts: criminal sexual assault and rape in the third degree. He was found not guilty of predatory sexual assault and rape in the first degree, the more serious charges. Weinstein was then taken away in handcuffs to prison. He will be sentenced on March 11.

In this special episode of The Harvey Weinstein Trial: Unfiltered, we recap some of the recent developments as the jury decides on a verdict. The jury has said they are deadlocked on two of the charges. They have been deliberating for almost a week and the judge has sent them back to continue considering a verdict. They gave no indication what their verdict would be in the other three charges. We expect a verdict as soon as this afternoon. In this episode we clarify the complex charges against Weinstein. We also discuss the strengths and weaknesses of the prosecution's case and what a possible verdict might look like.

It was supposed to be a quiet day in court but the day opened with a bang with the prosecution accusing the defense of witness tampering and the defense demanding a jury member be removed for bias and lying about their bias.