Harvey Weinstein case timeline explained: From his rise in Hollywood to the overturned conviction & start of a new retrial

Harvey Weinstein, once a well-known figure in the film industry, co-founded Miramax in 1979, producing acclaimed films like Pulp Fiction and Shakespeare in Love. However, his legacy unraveled as numerous women accused him of sexual misconduct, leading to criminal charges and convictions. The recent overturning of his 2020 conviction has brought his case back into the spotlight.

Why is Harvey Weinstein back in court?

Harvey Weinstein is facing a retrial because his 2020 conviction was overturned in April 2024. The court found that the judge in the previous trial had made an error by allowing testimonies from women who were not part of the case. This mistake led to the decision to throw out the earlier conviction and order a retrial.

Timeline of key events

1979¨C2005: Building an empire

1979: Harvey and Bob Weinstein establish Miramax, named after their parents, Miriam and Max.

1993: The Walt Disney Company acquired Miramax for $80 million; the Weinstein brothers continued to lead until 2005.

1994¨C1999: Miramax produced award-winning films, including Pulp Fiction (1994), The English Patient (1996), and Shakespeare in Love (1998), solidifying Weinstein's influence in Hollywood.

2005: The Weinstein brothers depart Miramax to launch The Weinstein Company.

2017: Allegations surface

October 5: The New York Times reported that Weinstein settled with eight women over allegations of sexual harassment and misconduct spanning decades.

October 10: The New Yorker published accounts from 13 women, including allegations of rape; Weinstein denies non-consensual encounters.

October 14: The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences expels Weinstein.

October 2017: The #MeToo movement gained momentum, with countless individuals sharing their experiences of sexual harassment and assault.

Harvey Weinstein's retrial commenced on April 15, 2025 | Credit: X

2018¨C2020: Legal proceedings and conviction

May 2018: Weinstein surrendered to New York authorities on charges of rape and criminal sexual acts involving two women.

February 2020: A New York jury convicted Weinstein of third-degree rape and a criminal sexual act.

March 2020: He is sentenced to 23 years in prison.

2022¨C2023: Additional convictions

December 2022: A Los Angeles jury finds Weinstein guilty of raping an actress in 2013.

February 2023: He receives a 16-year sentence in California, to be served consecutively with his New York sentence.

April 2024: Conviction overturned

April 25: New York's highest court overturns Weinstein's 2020 conviction, citing improper admission of testimony from uncharged accusers, and orders a retrial.

April 2025

April 15, 2025: Jury selection begins in Manhattan for Weinstein's retrial. The proceedings focus on allegations from three women:

Miriam "Mimi" Haleyi: Claims Weinstein forced oral sex on her in 2006.

Jessica Mann: Alleges he raped her in 2013.

Unnamed accuser: Brings forth a new allegation from 2006.

The retrial is expected to last approximately six weeks.

What are the charges in the Harvey Weinstein trial?

Harvey Weinstein is facing a retrial because his 2020 conviction was overturned in April 2024 | Credit: X

In this retrial, three women have made allegations against Weinstein. Two of them¡ªMimi Haleyi and Jessica Mann¡ªwere involved in the original 2020 case. A third woman has come forward with a new allegation from 2006. The charges are based on rape and criminal sexual acts.

What¡¯s different this time in the Harvey Weinstein trial?

One major change in this retrial is that testimonies from uncharged accusers are not being allowed. These were a key part of the original trial and were later found to have affected the outcome unfairly. This time, only the testimonies from the three women involved in this specific case will be considered.

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