(MENAFN) A judge in Los Angeles has ruled that convicted rapist Harvey Weinstein will not be retried for alleged attacks on two women, after a jury was unable to reach a verdict on the charges. Weinstein, the former movie mogul, was convicted last year of raping a European actress in a Beverly Hills hotel a decade earlier, and was sentenced to 16 years in jail. He will serve this sentence after he completes a 23-year sentence imposed by a New York court.
However, the jury in Los Angeles was unable to reach a verdict on charges relating to two other women, and prosecutors on Tuesday announced that they felt unable to proceed with a new trial. Superior Court Judge Lisa Lench granted the defense’s motion to dismiss the remaining charges.
During the lengthy trial, evidence was presented that the “Shakespeare in Love” producer had forced himself on young actresses trying to find a foothold in Hollywood. Prosecutors argued that Weinstein had exploited and abused women for years, and that he had long enjoyed impunity because of his powerful position in the film industry. The bombshell allegations broke against him in 2017, launching the #MeToo movement and paving the way for hundreds of women to speak out against sexual violence in the workplace.
Despite the conviction and sentencing, dozens of women have accused Weinstein of predatory behavior, with many sharing their stories as part of the #MeToo movement. Weinstein has consistently maintained his innocence and is currently appealing his convictions in both New York and Los Angeles.
The decision not to retry Weinstein for alleged attacks on two women has sparked debate and controversy, with some arguing that justice has not been served for all of his victims. Others have welcomed the decision, arguing that the trial process has been exhausting for survivors and that it is time to move on from the Weinstein scandal. The case has once again highlighted the need for robust legal frameworks and support for survivors of sexual violence, as well as the importance of holding those in positions of power accountable for their actions.
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