The Weinstein Jury Has Reached a Verdict

Cortney O'Brien | February 24, 2020 11:55 AM

Harvey Weinstein is now a convicted felon. The former Hollywood executive was found guilty on two counts on Monday, first-degree sexual assault against former production assistant Mimi Haley, and third-degree rape against former aspiring actress Jessica Mann, his two most recent accusers. He has been found not guilty on three other charges, including first-degree rape and criminal sexual act in the first degree. Weinstein faces up to 25 years in prison, with a minimum sentence of at least five years.

BREAKING: Jury finds Harvey Weinstein guilty on 2 of 5 counts https://t.co/VRdlJE4VZR pic.twitter.com/D8SH71t9ek
— CBS News (@CBSNews) February 24, 2020

But Harvey Weinstein found not guilty on 3 other charges, a huge setback for the prosecution. He still faces prison time. But the case always had problems because some accusers continued a relationship with him
— HowardKurtz (@HowardKurtz) February 24, 2020

"This is not the triumph that the government wanted," Judge Andrew Napolitano reacted on Fox News, for the other, more serious charges had come with life sentences.

"It is not the vindication that the victims wanted," he added.

The jury was made up of seven men and five women.

Weinstein, once a powerful Hollywood mogul, is accused of raping and sexually assaulting several actresses over a period of years. His predatory behavior spawned what's now known as the "Me Too" movement.

In a post-trial press conference, Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance Jr. called Weinstein “a vicious, serial sexual predator” who used his resources to manipulate, humiliate and silence his victims. Vance said he was not disappointed in the verdict. He called it a "new day" in which victims of sexual assault can be assured their voices will be heard by the justice system.