Harvey Weinstein Indicted

Harvey Weinstein was indicted on sex-crime charges Wednesday, hours after he said he would not testify before a grand jury tasked with reviewing rape and sexual assault allegations against him.

Weinstein, who has been accused of sexual misconduct, including rape, by more than 80 women, opted out of testifying “on the advice of his attorneys” his lawyers said in a statement.

• “After being unfairly denied access to critical information about this case that was needed to defend him before the grand jury, Mr. Weinstein’s attorneys decided that there was not sufficient time to properly prepare Mr. Weinstein,” the statement added.
• The grand jury voted to indict on charges of first and third degree rape, and first-degree criminal sexual act, according to the Manhattan District Attorny’s Office.
• Weinstein was formally charged Friday with two sexual attacks in Manhattan in 2004 and 2013. Weinstein has retained Benjamin Brafman as his attorney and denies all allegations of nonconsensual sex. He posted and is now free on $1 million bail.
• “This indictment brings the defendant another step closer to accountability for the crimes of violence with which he is now charged,” DA Cyrus Vance Jr. said.
• Some legal experts tell The Hollywood Reporter that Weinstein may not even stand trial for rape, and will instead cop a plea deal to avoid facing 25 years in jail. They point to Bill Cosby‘s recent trial, saying actresses could come forward as “prior bad act” witnesses against Weinstein as well, and postulating that finding a sympathetic jury would be a difficult task.

ROSE MCGOWAN SPEAKS OUT