The disgraced producer comes to the hearing at a New York City court with a limp, while the likes of Marisa Tomei, Amber Tamblyn, Kathy Najimy and many others show up in Time's Up shirts.
- December 21, 2018
AceShowbiz - Harvey Weinstein has lost his bid to have the sexual assault charges against him dismissed.
The movie mogul appeared for a pre-trial hearing at a court in New York City on Thursday, December 20 where his lawyers were attempting to get five felony charges dismissed. They relate to accusations he raped an unidentified woman in his hotel room in 2013 and forced another into a sex act in 2006.
However, the presiding judge told attorneys at the hearing that the case would continue, with the next hearing scheduled for March 7, 2019. Outside the court his lawyer Benjamin Brafman said the decision not to dismiss the indictment was a "disappointment."
Weinstein, who cut a slimmer figure, refused to speak to reporters as he walked into the hearing with what looked like a limp, to hear the judge's ruling. A number of actresses were in the court's gallery including Marisa Tomei, Nia Vardalos, Amber Tamblyn, Jennifer Esposito and Kathy Najimy.
Still high as a kite about this morning! There are so many rocks down below these days- celebrate small victories that rise to the top https://t.co/J6Fu40MHK6
— kathy najimy (@kathynajimy) December 20, 2018
The women were all reportedly wearing Time's Up shirts. Najimy told reporters, "I'm here to hear the proceeding and support survivors."
This morning we showed up in Criminal court to witness Harvey Weinstein and his case not be dismissed. It is a small victory. But there’s a long way to go. We’ll be there again on March 7th and look forward to seeing him prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. #TIMESUPpic.twitter.com/NDk5q9NMc6
— Amber Tamblyn (@ambertamblyn) December 20, 2018
The movie mogul denies the charges, which his legal team were unsuccessful in getting them dismissed on the grounds of prosecutorial misconduct.
Weinstein's defence team claim to have a witness, characterised as a "friend" of the 66-year-old, who will give evidence that the unidentified woman is falsifying her allegations. The alleged pal purportedly told them in an interview that his accuser had told her she was "hooking up" with the film producer.
