Harvey Weinstein appeared at a court hearing on Wednesday. His lawyer then commented on his state of health.
Harvey Weinstein, 72, appeared at a hearing in a New York City court on Wednesday (October 23). At the hearing, the judge granted a request from prosecutors to combine the retrial and new charges against the fallen film mogul.
Weinstein is currently awaiting a retrial in New York. His 2020 rape conviction and 23-year prison sentence were overturned in April 2024 due to procedural errors. He remains in custody despite the New York verdict being overturned. The 72-year-old was sentenced to 16 years in prison for rape in Los Angeles in 2022. Last month, Weinstein was charged with additional sexual assault in New York, but he pleaded not guilty.
The prosecution had argued that the retrial and the new indictment should be combined because separate proceedings would be inefficient. Weinstein’s lawyers objected, claiming prosecutors were trying to expand the scope of the retrial. The trial date for the original charges was scheduled for November. A new date has not yet been set, but it could be in April. The next hearing is scheduled for January 29th.
A few days ago, “NBC News” reported, among other things, that the former film mogul is said to have chronic myeloid leukemia. Weinstein, who is incarcerated at Rikers Island Prison in New York, is receiving treatment there, according to the report. CNN also reported, citing a source close to the former producer, that he was suffering from this form of bone marrow cancer.
Weinstein’s attorney Arthur L. Aidala (born 1967) stated after Wednesday’s hearing, “I know everyone is very curious when it comes to Mr. Weinstein’s health. I won’t go into details, just say that Mr. Weinstein is a fighter and that he is here to fight this case and he will fight with all his might, no matter what health issues he has.” He continued, according to The Hollywood Reporter: “We hope that the Department of Corrections and Health & Human Services, especially after the media attention of the last 48 hours, will truly give him the treatment that every person in the United States of America deserves especially in the city of New York given the health problems he suffers from.”
Media reports “unacceptable”
In a statement from Weinstein spokesman Juda Engelmayer, obtained by CBS News, following the media reports on the alleged cancer, it said: “Craig Rothfeld, Mr. Weinstein’s authorized health representative in New York State, is deeply disturbed by the speculation about the disease Mr. Weinstein’s health status.” It is both disturbing and unacceptable “that such private and confidential health matters have become a subject of public discourse. Out of respect for Mr. Weinstein’s privacy, we will have no further comment.”
Speaking about the decision in court, Aidala said on Wednesday: “I can’t say we are surprised by the judge’s decision to combine the old and new cases, but we are a little disappointed.” About his client, who appeared in court in a wheelchair and said few words, the lawyer explained: “He is very committed to his defense. He doesn’t take no for an answer when it comes to getting us to do what’s best “What we can and to look for every possible legal aspect.”
Source: Stern
I am an author and journalist who has worked in the entertainment industry for over a decade. I currently work as a news editor at a major news website, and my focus is on covering the latest trends in entertainment. I also write occasional pieces for other outlets, and have authored two books about the entertainment industry.
