Harvey Weinstein’s sentencing for his rape conviction in a Los Angeles trial last month has been delayed to February 23, as the disgraced producer seeks a new Los Angeles trial in defense after court’s mixed verdict.
According to Deadline, facing a maximum of 18 years based on the mixed verdict delivered by a L.A. jury last month on multiple sex crimes charges, the producer was originally scheduled to be sentenced Monday morning. However, following a motion by the defense for a new trial, Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Lisa Lench pushed the hearing until February 23.
“There are some serious issues from the trial that resulted in Mr. Weinstein’s conviction that led us to believe a Motion for a new trial is not only warranted but must be granted,” a spokesperson for Weinstein told the outlet. “In due time, more specifics will become available.”
“At this time, we have no further comment than to say his attorneys are making a motion for a new trial which is consistent with what has happened to Mr. Weinstein in NY which is that he has not received a fair, objective and just trial.” On December 19, an L.A. jury found Weinstein guilty of rape.
The 12-member jury reached a mixed verdict on his case of another sexual assault charge related to a different Jane Doe accuser, as they couldn’t reach a decision on three other counts. According to the outlet, as the appeal for his 2020 23-year East Coast sentence for rape and other crimes advances, the 70-year-old Weinstein remains behind bars in downtown Los Angeles’ Twin Towers Correctional Facility.
The Oscar-winning producer’s latest trial centered on testimony from four women in court who accused Weinstein of raping or sexually assaulting them from 2004 to 2013
