Eric Weinberg, a former writer-producer on the medical sitcom “Scrubs,” was ordered on Tuesday to stand trial by a Los Angeles judge. He is facing 28 charges of rape and sexual assault from eight different accusers and could receive multiple life sentences if convicted, according to media reports.
Judge Charlaine Olmedo heard testimony from nine women at a preliminary two-week hearing that ended in early May. The women, who have only been identified as Jane Does, said they agreed to meet Weinberg as his house for modeling sessions that quickly became physical.
Four of the Jane Does testified that Weinberg choked them and one said, “I was afraid he was going to kill me.” Another said, “I just remember thinking I was going to die,” when Weinberg placed both hands on her throat.
Olmedo dismissed four other counts on Tuesday: three because of the statute of limitations and one due to lack of evidence.
Judge Charlaine Olmedo heard testimony from nine women at a preliminary two-week hearing that ended in early May. The women, who have only been identified as Jane Does, said they agreed to meet Weinberg as his house for modeling sessions that quickly became physical.
Four of the Jane Does testified that Weinberg choked them and one said, “I was afraid he was going to kill me.” Another said, “I just remember thinking I was going to die,” when Weinberg placed both hands on her throat.
Olmedo dismissed four other counts on Tuesday: three because of the statute of limitations and one due to lack of evidence.
- 5/22/2024
- by Sharon Knolle
- The Wrap
Eric Weinberg, a veteran writer-producer on the TV show “Scrubs,” was ordered on Tuesday to stand trial on 28 charges of rape and sexual assault.
Weinberg, 63, who also wrote on “Californication” and “Politically Incorrect” with Bill Maher, faces multiple life sentences if convicted.
Judge Charlaine Olmedo heard testimony from nine women at a preliminary hearing that ran for more than two weeks in late April and early May. The women told similar stories of being approached by Weinberg in public places, where he asked if they were interested in modeling.
Many of the women testified that agreed to meet Weinberg at his home, where he would begin to take photos. At some point, the encounter would become sexual, as Weinberg either began to remove their clothing or groped himself.
Several of the women — identified in court as Jane Does — said they became terrified when they realized the photo shoot was just...
Weinberg, 63, who also wrote on “Californication” and “Politically Incorrect” with Bill Maher, faces multiple life sentences if convicted.
Judge Charlaine Olmedo heard testimony from nine women at a preliminary hearing that ran for more than two weeks in late April and early May. The women told similar stories of being approached by Weinberg in public places, where he asked if they were interested in modeling.
Many of the women testified that agreed to meet Weinberg at his home, where he would begin to take photos. At some point, the encounter would become sexual, as Weinberg either began to remove their clothing or groped himself.
Several of the women — identified in court as Jane Does — said they became terrified when they realized the photo shoot was just...
- 5/21/2024
- by Gene Maddaus
- Variety Film + TV
Los Angeles prosecutors told a judge Tuesday that they will not retry Harvey Weinstein, who was convicted of the rape and sexual assault of one woman, on counts involving two others that left jurors deadlocked.
Deputy District Attorney Paul Thompson announced the decision to Superior Court Judge Lisa B. Lench at a hearing in downtown Los Angeles. The judge granted a defense motion to dismiss the charges and said Weinstein would be returned to New York, where he was convicted in a similar case.
Weinstein attorney Jacqueline Sparagna said he maintains his innocence of the charges.
In December, the Los Angeles jury convicted Weinstein, 70, of the rape and sexual assault of Italian model and actor Evgeniya Chernyshova, and he was sentenced to 16 years in prison. That’s in addition to the 23-year sentence he is already serving in New York.
Read More: Harvey Weinstein Victim Known As ‘Jane Doe 1...
Deputy District Attorney Paul Thompson announced the decision to Superior Court Judge Lisa B. Lench at a hearing in downtown Los Angeles. The judge granted a defense motion to dismiss the charges and said Weinstein would be returned to New York, where he was convicted in a similar case.
Weinstein attorney Jacqueline Sparagna said he maintains his innocence of the charges.
In December, the Los Angeles jury convicted Weinstein, 70, of the rape and sexual assault of Italian model and actor Evgeniya Chernyshova, and he was sentenced to 16 years in prison. That’s in addition to the 23-year sentence he is already serving in New York.
Read More: Harvey Weinstein Victim Known As ‘Jane Doe 1...
- 3/15/2023
- by Becca Longmire
- ET Canada
Last year, disgraced producer Harvey Weinstein was found guilty by a Los Angeles jury, though in a mixed verdict, the hung jury could not reach an unanimous decision on all counts with the judge declaring a mistrial on three of seven charges.
The judge dismissed those three remaining charges, and ruled that she would not be putting Weinstein back on trial, reports Variety.
Prior to the judge’s decision, the prosecution announced that the Los Angeles District Attorney’s office would not be proceeding with the remaining charges.
Weinstein was sentenced last month, to 16 additional years for his most recent conviction in L.A. He is already serving a 23-year sentence for his 2020 rape and sexual assault conviction in New York, and will all-but-likely spend the rest of his life behind bars. He is appealing both of his convictions.
After a two month trial in late 2022, the jury found Weinstein...
The judge dismissed those three remaining charges, and ruled that she would not be putting Weinstein back on trial, reports Variety.
Prior to the judge’s decision, the prosecution announced that the Los Angeles District Attorney’s office would not be proceeding with the remaining charges.
Weinstein was sentenced last month, to 16 additional years for his most recent conviction in L.A. He is already serving a 23-year sentence for his 2020 rape and sexual assault conviction in New York, and will all-but-likely spend the rest of his life behind bars. He is appealing both of his convictions.
After a two month trial in late 2022, the jury found Weinstein...
- 3/15/2023
- by News Bureau
- GlamSham
Harvey Weinstein will not face a new trial on deadlocked rape and sexual assault charges, a Los Angeles judge ruled Tuesday, including those based upon the accusations of Jennifer Siebel Newsom.
Weinstein was convicted last month on three charges, all based on the testimony of a single accuser, a Russian model and actress known as Jane Doe 1. Three other charges ended in mistrial, and one in acquittal. Weinstein was sentenced last month to 16 years in California prison, time he’ll begin serving when his 23-year sentence is up in New York.
The deadlocked charges included those tied to the testimony of Newsom. Tuesday’s dismissal means the wife of California Gov. Gavin Newsom will not be brought back to testify again – something she says she never expected to do in the first place when she came forward to authorities in 2017.
The other accuser whose testimony supported charges the judge dismissed Tuesday was Lauren Young,...
Weinstein was convicted last month on three charges, all based on the testimony of a single accuser, a Russian model and actress known as Jane Doe 1. Three other charges ended in mistrial, and one in acquittal. Weinstein was sentenced last month to 16 years in California prison, time he’ll begin serving when his 23-year sentence is up in New York.
The deadlocked charges included those tied to the testimony of Newsom. Tuesday’s dismissal means the wife of California Gov. Gavin Newsom will not be brought back to testify again – something she says she never expected to do in the first place when she came forward to authorities in 2017.
The other accuser whose testimony supported charges the judge dismissed Tuesday was Lauren Young,...
- 3/14/2023
- by Josh Dickey
- The Wrap
Last year, Harvey Weinstein was found guilty by a Los Angeles jury — though in a mixed verdict, the hung jury could not reach an unanimous decision on all counts with the judge declaring a mistrial on three of seven charges.
On Tuesday morning, the judge dismissed those three remaining charges, and ruled that she would not be putting Weinstein back on trial.
Prior to the judge’s decision, the prosecution announced that the Los Angeles District Attorney’s office would not be proceeding with the remaining charges.
Weinstein was sentenced last month to 16 additional years for his most recent conviction in L.A. He is already serving a 23-year sentence for his 2020 rape and sexual assault conviction in New York, and will all-but-likely spend the rest of his life behind bars. He is appealing both of his convictions.
After a two month trial in late 2022, the jury found Weinstein guilty...
On Tuesday morning, the judge dismissed those three remaining charges, and ruled that she would not be putting Weinstein back on trial.
Prior to the judge’s decision, the prosecution announced that the Los Angeles District Attorney’s office would not be proceeding with the remaining charges.
Weinstein was sentenced last month to 16 additional years for his most recent conviction in L.A. He is already serving a 23-year sentence for his 2020 rape and sexual assault conviction in New York, and will all-but-likely spend the rest of his life behind bars. He is appealing both of his convictions.
After a two month trial in late 2022, the jury found Weinstein guilty...
- 3/14/2023
- by Elizabeth Wagmeister
- Variety Film + TV
Harvey Weinstein was sentenced Thursday in downtown Los Angeles to 16 years in prison for rape and other sex crimes.
With the already incarcerated former producer in attendance at the Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center courtroom today, the somewhat delayed ruling by Judge Lisa B. Lench is in addition to the 23 years the much-accused Weinstein was sentenced to by a Manhattan judge in March 2020 for other rape and other sex crimes.
Of the trio of L.A. counts for which he was convicted last year, Weinstein was given eight years on Count #1, six years for Count #2, and two years for Count #3. The judge said the sentences are to run consecutively.
“These are not easy decisions to make, but this is my decision,” Lench told the packed courtroom of her ruling.
After an impact statement from Jane Doe #1 but before sentencing today, a seated Weinstein addressed the court. “I maintain that I’m innocent,...
With the already incarcerated former producer in attendance at the Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center courtroom today, the somewhat delayed ruling by Judge Lisa B. Lench is in addition to the 23 years the much-accused Weinstein was sentenced to by a Manhattan judge in March 2020 for other rape and other sex crimes.
Of the trio of L.A. counts for which he was convicted last year, Weinstein was given eight years on Count #1, six years for Count #2, and two years for Count #3. The judge said the sentences are to run consecutively.
“These are not easy decisions to make, but this is my decision,” Lench told the packed courtroom of her ruling.
After an impact statement from Jane Doe #1 but before sentencing today, a seated Weinstein addressed the court. “I maintain that I’m innocent,...
- 2/23/2023
- by Dominic Patten
- Deadline Film + TV
Los Angeles, Feb 17 (Ians) A judge ruled on Thursday that no additional victims beyond the one woman, whose testimony was the basis for Harvey Weinstein’s conviction, will be able to give victim impact statements at Weinstein’s sentencing next week.
The ruling comes amid calls from attorney Gloria Allred to allow more victims to speak at the sentencing, which she says is the “right of a victim.”
Allred represented three women in Weinstein’s Los Angeles trial, and has argued that all women involved in the case, regardless of the verdict, should be able to speak at the sentencing to let their voice be heard and provide relevant information for the court to consider.
At the Thursday hearing, prosecutors Paul Thompson and Marlene Martinez asked the judge to hear from Allred in court, reports ‘Variety’.
Weinstein was found guilty on three counts of rape and sexual assault last December,...
The ruling comes amid calls from attorney Gloria Allred to allow more victims to speak at the sentencing, which she says is the “right of a victim.”
Allred represented three women in Weinstein’s Los Angeles trial, and has argued that all women involved in the case, regardless of the verdict, should be able to speak at the sentencing to let their voice be heard and provide relevant information for the court to consider.
At the Thursday hearing, prosecutors Paul Thompson and Marlene Martinez asked the judge to hear from Allred in court, reports ‘Variety’.
Weinstein was found guilty on three counts of rape and sexual assault last December,...
- 2/17/2023
- by News Bureau
- GlamSham
A judge ruled Thursday that no additional victims — beyond the one woman whose testimony was the basis for Harvey Weinstein’s conviction — will be able to give victim impact statements at Weinstein’s sentencing next week.
The ruling comes amid calls from attorney Gloria Allred to allow more victims to speak at the sentencing, which she says is the “right of a victim.” Allred represented three women in Weinstein’s Los Angeles trial, and has argued that all women involved in the case, regardless of the verdict, should be able to speak at the sentencing to let their voice be heard and provide relevant information for the court to consider. At the Thursday hearing, prosecutors Paul Thompson and Marlene Martinez asked the judge to hear from Allred in court.
Weinstein was found guilty on three counts of rape and sexual assault last December, after a two-month trial in Los Angeles.
The ruling comes amid calls from attorney Gloria Allred to allow more victims to speak at the sentencing, which she says is the “right of a victim.” Allred represented three women in Weinstein’s Los Angeles trial, and has argued that all women involved in the case, regardless of the verdict, should be able to speak at the sentencing to let their voice be heard and provide relevant information for the court to consider. At the Thursday hearing, prosecutors Paul Thompson and Marlene Martinez asked the judge to hear from Allred in court.
Weinstein was found guilty on three counts of rape and sexual assault last December, after a two-month trial in Los Angeles.
- 2/16/2023
- by Elizabeth Wagmeister
- Variety Film + TV
(Updated with LA Da response) As expected, Harvey Weinstein’s defense team have moved to ask for a new West Coast trial for the incarnated producer. In a risky move, the Oscar winner’s Werkman Jackson & Quinn attorneys are putting the credibility of Jane Doe #1 and the LA County District Attorney’s office at the heart of their attack
“By her own admission to the prosecutors, Jane Doe 1 lied when she testified under oath that the extent of her relationship with Mr. Vicedomini was only that of friends and coworkers,” the motion filed today in LA Superior Court says of the Weinstein accuser and the Italian TV host and festival organizer (read it here).
“The defense, again, pleaded with the Court to admit her admission and the February 12, 2013 Facebook messages because, at a minimum: 1) evidence of their sexual relationship showed that both she and Mr. Vicedomini lied to the jury,...
“By her own admission to the prosecutors, Jane Doe 1 lied when she testified under oath that the extent of her relationship with Mr. Vicedomini was only that of friends and coworkers,” the motion filed today in LA Superior Court says of the Weinstein accuser and the Italian TV host and festival organizer (read it here).
“The defense, again, pleaded with the Court to admit her admission and the February 12, 2013 Facebook messages because, at a minimum: 1) evidence of their sexual relationship showed that both she and Mr. Vicedomini lied to the jury,...
- 1/31/2023
- by Dominic Patten
- Deadline Film + TV
Harvey Weinstein’s legal team is requesting a new trial with a new jury, after the former Hollywood producer was found guilty of rape and sexual assault during his L.A. trial late last year.
Weinstein’s attorneys filed their motion for a new trial on Tuesday afternoon in Los Angeles to Judge Lisa B. Lench, who presided over the trial, and deputy district attorneys Paul Thompson and Marlene Martinez, who prosecuted the case.
The matter will be heard in court on Feb. 23, which is Weinstein’s sentencing date.
Weinstein — who is already serving a 23-year sentence in New York after being found guilty of rape and sexual assault in 2020 — was convicted on three charges of rape and sexual assault in Dec. 2022. The jury, however, was not able to reach an unanimous decision on three other counts, and ended the two-month trial with split verdict. The jurors also acquitted him...
Weinstein’s attorneys filed their motion for a new trial on Tuesday afternoon in Los Angeles to Judge Lisa B. Lench, who presided over the trial, and deputy district attorneys Paul Thompson and Marlene Martinez, who prosecuted the case.
The matter will be heard in court on Feb. 23, which is Weinstein’s sentencing date.
Weinstein — who is already serving a 23-year sentence in New York after being found guilty of rape and sexual assault in 2020 — was convicted on three charges of rape and sexual assault in Dec. 2022. The jury, however, was not able to reach an unanimous decision on three other counts, and ended the two-month trial with split verdict. The jurors also acquitted him...
- 1/31/2023
- by Elizabeth Wagmeister
- Variety Film + TV
Ron Jeremy, the porn star charged with sexually assaulting 21 women, was found incompetent to stand trial Tuesday by a Los Angeles judge.
Jeremy, 69 — whose full name is Ronald Jeremy Hyatt — was not present for the hearing in a mental health courthouse in Hollywood. Judge Robert S. Harrison made his ruling after reviewing a July 2022 assessment from a defense-hired psychologist and an October 2022 report from a doctor hired by prosecutors.
“Mr. Hyatt is not competent for trial,” Judge Harrison said. “Both reports indicate Mr. Hyatt suffers from an incurable neurocognitive decline,...
Jeremy, 69 — whose full name is Ronald Jeremy Hyatt — was not present for the hearing in a mental health courthouse in Hollywood. Judge Robert S. Harrison made his ruling after reviewing a July 2022 assessment from a defense-hired psychologist and an October 2022 report from a doctor hired by prosecutors.
“Mr. Hyatt is not competent for trial,” Judge Harrison said. “Both reports indicate Mr. Hyatt suffers from an incurable neurocognitive decline,...
- 1/17/2023
- by Nancy Dillon
- Rollingstone.com
Harvey Weinstein was found guilty of rape by a Los Angeles jury on Monday, marking the second conviction in as many states for the disgraced Hollywood mogul.
Weinstein was also found guilty of two other sexual assault charges involving one of the four women whose accusations formed the case for prosecutors. The jury could not reach a unanimous verdict on the other charges.
The jury reached the verdict on Monday afternoon after nine days of deliberations that spanned more than two weeks. The trial itself lasted for over four weeks and heard from dozens of witnesses, including the four women who accused the former film producer of sexually assaulting them.
Weinstein, 70, still has roughly 21 years left on his sentence in New York after a rape and sexual assault conviction there that is under appeal.
Read more: Jury for Harvey Weinstein trial in L.A. ends week of deliberations without verdict...
Weinstein was also found guilty of two other sexual assault charges involving one of the four women whose accusations formed the case for prosecutors. The jury could not reach a unanimous verdict on the other charges.
The jury reached the verdict on Monday afternoon after nine days of deliberations that spanned more than two weeks. The trial itself lasted for over four weeks and heard from dozens of witnesses, including the four women who accused the former film producer of sexually assaulting them.
Weinstein, 70, still has roughly 21 years left on his sentence in New York after a rape and sexual assault conviction there that is under appeal.
Read more: Jury for Harvey Weinstein trial in L.A. ends week of deliberations without verdict...
- 12/20/2022
- by Alex Nino Gheciu
- ET Canada
Click here to read the full article.
Over the course of five weeks, 44 witnesses have testified in Harvey Weinstein’s trial over accusations that he sexually assaulted four women and four others whose accusations didn’t lead to charges.
Prosecutors, wrapping up their closing arguments on Friday, said that the Jane Doe accusers and witnesses individually came forward without knowing each other’s stories to take down a “titan of the film industry” who weaponized his power to “prey on women” in his orbit. They detailed a consistent pattern across the assaults.
Advancing a clashing portrayal of the allegations, a lawyer for Weinstein countered that his accusers either outright lied about the incidents or engaged in “transactional sex.” He argued that prosecutors offered so many witnesses — especially those whose claims aren’t at the center of the trial — to prop up what the defense described as a weak case.
“Take...
Over the course of five weeks, 44 witnesses have testified in Harvey Weinstein’s trial over accusations that he sexually assaulted four women and four others whose accusations didn’t lead to charges.
Prosecutors, wrapping up their closing arguments on Friday, said that the Jane Doe accusers and witnesses individually came forward without knowing each other’s stories to take down a “titan of the film industry” who weaponized his power to “prey on women” in his orbit. They detailed a consistent pattern across the assaults.
Advancing a clashing portrayal of the allegations, a lawyer for Weinstein countered that his accusers either outright lied about the incidents or engaged in “transactional sex.” He argued that prosecutors offered so many witnesses — especially those whose claims aren’t at the center of the trial — to prop up what the defense described as a weak case.
“Take...
- 12/2/2022
- by Winston Cho
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Harvey Weinstein’s case is now in the jury’s hands.
The jury began deliberations on Friday, nearly two months after Weinstein’s trial began in a downtown Los Angeles courtroom.
The jurors — eight men and four women — will have to wade through testimony from 50 witnesses as they decide whether to convict Weinstein of charges of rape and sexual assault.
Just before the jury began deliberating, in a final plea to convict Harvey Weinstein on rape and sexual assault, prosecutors told jurors, “You have overwhelming evidence of the nature of this man and what he did to these women.”
Prosecutors, in their rebuttal to the defense’s closing arguments to acquit Weinstein, told the jury that Weinstein’s attorneys are using “magic” to try to distract them from Weinstein’s alleged abuse, and urged them to look at the evidence and pattern of behavior to make their determination. They said...
The jury began deliberations on Friday, nearly two months after Weinstein’s trial began in a downtown Los Angeles courtroom.
The jurors — eight men and four women — will have to wade through testimony from 50 witnesses as they decide whether to convict Weinstein of charges of rape and sexual assault.
Just before the jury began deliberating, in a final plea to convict Harvey Weinstein on rape and sexual assault, prosecutors told jurors, “You have overwhelming evidence of the nature of this man and what he did to these women.”
Prosecutors, in their rebuttal to the defense’s closing arguments to acquit Weinstein, told the jury that Weinstein’s attorneys are using “magic” to try to distract them from Weinstein’s alleged abuse, and urged them to look at the evidence and pattern of behavior to make their determination. They said...
- 12/2/2022
- by Elizabeth Wagmeister and Gene Maddaus
- Variety Film + TV
Six weeks after Harvey Weinstein’s lead attorney called Jennifer Siebel Newsom, wife of Gov. Gavin Newsom, a “bimbo” who was seeking career advancement by sleeping with the producer, it turns out his defense team was saving their harshest words for last.
Defense attorneys had their final say in a Los Angeles criminal court Thursday, telling the jury that all eight women who testified that Weinstein raped or assaulted them were either liars, or “fame and fortune seekers” who all have five words in common: “Take my word for it.”
Weinstein’s closing-statement duties fell to Alan Jackson, who has been taking over for lead defense attorney Mark Werksman in several key cross-examinations throughout the trial, now deep into its second month. Jackson has been the more animated and pugnacious of the two litigators, and he wasn’t holding back Thursday.
“Everything … is smoke and mirrors,” Jackson said. “Can you...
Defense attorneys had their final say in a Los Angeles criminal court Thursday, telling the jury that all eight women who testified that Weinstein raped or assaulted them were either liars, or “fame and fortune seekers” who all have five words in common: “Take my word for it.”
Weinstein’s closing-statement duties fell to Alan Jackson, who has been taking over for lead defense attorney Mark Werksman in several key cross-examinations throughout the trial, now deep into its second month. Jackson has been the more animated and pugnacious of the two litigators, and he wasn’t holding back Thursday.
“Everything … is smoke and mirrors,” Jackson said. “Can you...
- 12/1/2022
- by Josh Dickey and Kelly Hartog
- The Wrap
The prosecutor in the Harvey Weinstein trial urged a jury on Thursday to find him guilty on seven counts of rape and sexual assault.
“We know the despicable conduct the defendant engaged in,” said Deputy District Attorney Marlene Martinez. “We know he thought he was so powerful that people would excuse his behavior. ‘That’s just Harvey being Harvey.’ ‘That’s just Hollywood’ And for so long, that’s what everyone did. Everyone just turned their heads. It’s time for the defendant’s reign of terror to end.”
Martinez wrapped up her closing argument on Thursday morning, after beginning on Wednesday afternoon. She went methodically through each of the counts, arguing that the prosecution had met its burden to find Weinstein guilty. She also displayed a composite photo of all eight women who had testified together.
Defense attorney Alan Jackson began his closing argument around 11 a.m., and spoke...
“We know the despicable conduct the defendant engaged in,” said Deputy District Attorney Marlene Martinez. “We know he thought he was so powerful that people would excuse his behavior. ‘That’s just Harvey being Harvey.’ ‘That’s just Hollywood’ And for so long, that’s what everyone did. Everyone just turned their heads. It’s time for the defendant’s reign of terror to end.”
Martinez wrapped up her closing argument on Thursday morning, after beginning on Wednesday afternoon. She went methodically through each of the counts, arguing that the prosecution had met its burden to find Weinstein guilty. She also displayed a composite photo of all eight women who had testified together.
Defense attorney Alan Jackson began his closing argument around 11 a.m., and spoke...
- 12/1/2022
- by Elizabeth Wagmeister and Gene Maddaus
- Variety Film + TV
Closing arguments began Wednesday in the Los Angeles rape trial of Harvey Weinstein, capping more than a month of testimony that included eight women whose accusations of rape and sexual assault could be in the hands of the jury before the weekend.
Before prosecutors began their closing statement, the defense breezed through a few housecleaning witnesses on Wednesday, including a security worker named Christian Sheriff, who testified that there was a fire alarm at Mr. C’s hotel the night Jane Doe 1 testified Weinstein tracked her down in her room and raped her.
Another witness was FBI special agent Mike Easter, a cell-phone positioning expert who testified about a text message a Jane Doe witness sent from the Venice area to Weinstein associate Claudia Salinas. It was assumed that defense attorney Mark Werksman would clarify the reason for Wednesday’s witnesses in his closing statement.
Deputy District Attorney Marlene Martinez...
Before prosecutors began their closing statement, the defense breezed through a few housecleaning witnesses on Wednesday, including a security worker named Christian Sheriff, who testified that there was a fire alarm at Mr. C’s hotel the night Jane Doe 1 testified Weinstein tracked her down in her room and raped her.
Another witness was FBI special agent Mike Easter, a cell-phone positioning expert who testified about a text message a Jane Doe witness sent from the Venice area to Weinstein associate Claudia Salinas. It was assumed that defense attorney Mark Werksman would clarify the reason for Wednesday’s witnesses in his closing statement.
Deputy District Attorney Marlene Martinez...
- 12/1/2022
- by Josh Dickey
- The Wrap
“In 2005, who would have thought that the most powerful man in Hollywood was a closet rapist?” Los Angeles County Deputy District Attorney Marlene Martinez asked jurors Wednesday in Harvey Weinstein’s West Coast rape trial. “Who could blame her for thinking that she could handle herself,” the prosecutor queried over now-California First Partner and trial Jane Doe #4 Jennifer Siebel Newsom in her closing argument.
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In the first portion of a closing argument that will continue Thursday, Martinez zeroed in on the much accused former mogul’s powerful perch.
Related Story Danny Masterson Rape Case Retrial Set For March; "Fight Is Far From Over," Jane Does Say After Jury Hung On Charges – Update Related Story Peter Bart: 'She Said' Team Should Have Investigated Hiring Oscar-Winning 'Spotlight' Writer Related Story 'She Said' Global Launch Boosts Former Harvey Weinstein Survivors' Campaign To Stop Misuse Of NDAs As Time's Up UK Gives Backing
In the first portion of a closing argument that will continue Thursday, Martinez zeroed in on the much accused former mogul’s powerful perch.
- 12/1/2022
- by Dominic Patten
- Deadline Film + TV
A surprising turn of events occurred in the final moments of the Harvey Weinstein trial when prosecutors called a Weinstein accuser back for further testimony. Ashley Matthau, who testified earlier in the trial accusing Weinstein of masturbating on her during production of the 2004 film “Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights,” returned to the stand Wednesday morning as a rebuttal witness for the prosecution, moments after the defense rested their case.
Matthau stood in stark contrast to a defense witness who testified earlier this week, JoAnn Jansen, the choreographer from “Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights.” Jansen told the jury that she has no idea who Matthau is and was firm in her testimony this past Monday that Matthau was not a principal dancer on the film. On the stand today, Matthau looked through copies of residual checks for her work on the musical film as principal dancer, and shuffled through 22 pages of call sheets...
Matthau stood in stark contrast to a defense witness who testified earlier this week, JoAnn Jansen, the choreographer from “Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights.” Jansen told the jury that she has no idea who Matthau is and was firm in her testimony this past Monday that Matthau was not a principal dancer on the film. On the stand today, Matthau looked through copies of residual checks for her work on the musical film as principal dancer, and shuffled through 22 pages of call sheets...
- 11/30/2022
- by Elizabeth Wagmeister
- Variety Film + TV
The prosecution has rested its case in the People vs. Harvey Weinstein.
The Los Angeles trial is expected to last a total of two months, heading into December. On Thursday, the jury was told they would reconvene after Thanksgiving when the defense begins with its case on Nov. 28.
Weinstein — who was already convicted in New York and is in the midst of serving his 23-year sentence — is facing seven charges in the sprawling Los Angeles case: two charges of rape and five counts of sexual assault. On these counts, he faces 60 years, if convicted.
Originally, Weinstein was facing 11 charges and a maximum sentencing of 140 years. Jane Doe #5, who was associated with these charges, is no longer part of the case, so Weinstein won a motion for four charges to be dismissed. Prosecutors said earlier this week that they would not proceed with testimony from Jane Doe #5, but offered no explanation.
The Los Angeles trial is expected to last a total of two months, heading into December. On Thursday, the jury was told they would reconvene after Thanksgiving when the defense begins with its case on Nov. 28.
Weinstein — who was already convicted in New York and is in the midst of serving his 23-year sentence — is facing seven charges in the sprawling Los Angeles case: two charges of rape and five counts of sexual assault. On these counts, he faces 60 years, if convicted.
Originally, Weinstein was facing 11 charges and a maximum sentencing of 140 years. Jane Doe #5, who was associated with these charges, is no longer part of the case, so Weinstein won a motion for four charges to be dismissed. Prosecutors said earlier this week that they would not proceed with testimony from Jane Doe #5, but offered no explanation.
- 11/17/2022
- by Elizabeth Wagmeister
- Variety Film + TV
Mel Gibson will not be taking the stand in Harvey Weinstein’s rape trial.
Prosecutors wouldn’t reveal in Judge Lisa Lench’s Los Angeles courtroom today why they’ve decided not to have the Oscar winner testify after all. However, Deputy District Attorneys Paul Thompson and Marlene Martinez made it very clear that Gibson will not be trekking down to the Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center. The Da’s office did not respond to request from Deadline for more details about why Gibson won’t be testifying.
Related Story Danny Masterson Rape Trial: Jury Begins Deliberations As Closing Arguments End; “Scientology Cannot Be Avoided,” Prosecution Tells Court – Update Related Story Harvey Weinstein Prosecutors Drop Four Charges In L.A. Rape Trial; Jennifer Siebel Newsom Testimony Continues Related Story Jennifer Siebel Newsom Details Alleged Rape By Harvey Weinstein To Courtroom; Defense Focuses On Gavin Newsom's Career & Ex-Mogul's Political...
Prosecutors wouldn’t reveal in Judge Lisa Lench’s Los Angeles courtroom today why they’ve decided not to have the Oscar winner testify after all. However, Deputy District Attorneys Paul Thompson and Marlene Martinez made it very clear that Gibson will not be trekking down to the Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center. The Da’s office did not respond to request from Deadline for more details about why Gibson won’t be testifying.
Related Story Danny Masterson Rape Trial: Jury Begins Deliberations As Closing Arguments End; “Scientology Cannot Be Avoided,” Prosecution Tells Court – Update Related Story Harvey Weinstein Prosecutors Drop Four Charges In L.A. Rape Trial; Jennifer Siebel Newsom Testimony Continues Related Story Jennifer Siebel Newsom Details Alleged Rape By Harvey Weinstein To Courtroom; Defense Focuses On Gavin Newsom's Career & Ex-Mogul's Political...
- 11/17/2022
- by Dominic Patten
- Deadline Film + TV
Harvey Weinstein will face fewer charges in his current Los Angeles trial with the prosecution announcing that they are not proceeding with a key victim, Jane Doe #5.
Weinstein now faces seven counts that stem from four women, rather than five Jane Does. Initially, he was facing 11 charges and maximum of 140 years in prison, if convicted. Now, the new maximum exposure is 60 years to life plus five.
The charges being dropped are a win for Weinstein, particularly because two of the dismissed charges were counts of rape, which carry the most years — with all five victims involved in the case, he would have faced four rape charges, but now faces two. The remaining counts that Weinstein now faces in the case are two charges of rape and five counts of sexual assault.
Jane Doe #5 was associated to four charges in total (charges 8-11) two of which were counts of forcible rape.
Weinstein now faces seven counts that stem from four women, rather than five Jane Does. Initially, he was facing 11 charges and maximum of 140 years in prison, if convicted. Now, the new maximum exposure is 60 years to life plus five.
The charges being dropped are a win for Weinstein, particularly because two of the dismissed charges were counts of rape, which carry the most years — with all five victims involved in the case, he would have faced four rape charges, but now faces two. The remaining counts that Weinstein now faces in the case are two charges of rape and five counts of sexual assault.
Jane Doe #5 was associated to four charges in total (charges 8-11) two of which were counts of forcible rape.
- 11/15/2022
- by Elizabeth Wagmeister
- Variety Film + TV
Jennifer Siebel Newsom testified at Harvey Weinstein’s L.A. trial on Monday, becoming emotional from the moment she took her oath on the stand to share graphic details of her alleged sexual assault. Through heavy tears, Siebel Newsom alleged that she was raped by Weinstein in 2005, when she was an up-and-coming actor and producer. The most high-profile witness of the trial, Siebel Newsom, who is named Jane Doe #4 in the case, is a public advocate for gender equality and is married to California Governor Gavin Newsom.
“I was afraid of what he was doing, putting his body into my body, and hurting me,” Siebel Newsom said on the stand, detailing the alleged rape that occurred at the Peninsula Hotel in Beverly Hills, Calif. She also accused Weinstein of forced oral sex. “I’m crying, I’m trembling, I’m shaking and I’m frozen, too,” she recalled when speaking to the jury.
“I was afraid of what he was doing, putting his body into my body, and hurting me,” Siebel Newsom said on the stand, detailing the alleged rape that occurred at the Peninsula Hotel in Beverly Hills, Calif. She also accused Weinstein of forced oral sex. “I’m crying, I’m trembling, I’m shaking and I’m frozen, too,” she recalled when speaking to the jury.
- 11/15/2022
- by Elizabeth Wagmeister
- Variety Film + TV
Jennifer Siebel Newsom, actress and documentary filmmaker, burst into tears as she began her testimony at Harvey Weinstein’s trial in Los Angeles on Monday, The Associated Press reports. Known as Jane Doe #4 in the case, Siebel Newsom is married to Gov. Gavin Newsom and alleges she was raped by Weinstein in 2005. Like the other women Weinstein is charged with raping or sexually assaulting, Siebel Newsom’s name is not being spoken in court.
Weinstein, who is already serving a 23-year sentence for a conviction in New York, has pleaded...
Weinstein, who is already serving a 23-year sentence for a conviction in New York, has pleaded...
- 11/15/2022
- by Charisma Madarang
- Rollingstone.com
Jennifer Siebel Newsom, wife of Gov. Gavin Newsom and one of several women testifying against Harvey Weinstein in his Los Angeles rape trial, took the stand Monday afternoon for the prosecution, where she told the jury about an assault she alleged happened in 2004 or 2005 through fits of sobbing, hysteria and extreme emotion.
Wearing a blue dress and camel-colored coat, and with two men wearing security-type earpieces sitting in the front row of the gallery, Newsom took the stand just before a lunch break Monday. With prosecutor Marlene Martinez questioning, Newsom broke down in tears just a few minutes into her testimony when asked if she saw Weinstein in the room.
“Yes,” she said. “He’s wearing a suit, and a blue tie, and he’s staring at me.”
Also Read:
Harvey Weinstein’s Courtroom Chair Moved So He Can’t Keep ‘Staring’ at the Jury
Newsom testified that they first...
Wearing a blue dress and camel-colored coat, and with two men wearing security-type earpieces sitting in the front row of the gallery, Newsom took the stand just before a lunch break Monday. With prosecutor Marlene Martinez questioning, Newsom broke down in tears just a few minutes into her testimony when asked if she saw Weinstein in the room.
“Yes,” she said. “He’s wearing a suit, and a blue tie, and he’s staring at me.”
Also Read:
Harvey Weinstein’s Courtroom Chair Moved So He Can’t Keep ‘Staring’ at the Jury
Newsom testified that they first...
- 11/14/2022
- by Kelly Hartog and Josh Dickey
- The Wrap
One of Harvey Weinstein’s former personal assistants, who was mentioned prominently in accuser Ashley M.’s testimony, took the witness stand today in the disgraced former mogul’s sexual assault trial in Los Angeles, saying she has “no recollection of meeting [Ashley M.] in Puerto Rico.”
Bonnie Hung, who met Weinstein in 2001 and became his personal assistant two years later, was asked by prosecution lawyer Marlene Martinez about Ashley M.’s alleged 2003 hotel encounter with Weinstein during the production of Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights in Puerto Rico that ended with Weinstein allegedly masturbating on her.
The accuser mentioned Hung by name during her testimony last week, saying that when because the assistant was present that night, “At that point I felt better just knowing that I wasn’t alone.”
Martinez asked Hung if she had read media accounts of Ashley M.’s testimony. She answered yes but added, “I have no...
Bonnie Hung, who met Weinstein in 2001 and became his personal assistant two years later, was asked by prosecution lawyer Marlene Martinez about Ashley M.’s alleged 2003 hotel encounter with Weinstein during the production of Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights in Puerto Rico that ended with Weinstein allegedly masturbating on her.
The accuser mentioned Hung by name during her testimony last week, saying that when because the assistant was present that night, “At that point I felt better just knowing that I wasn’t alone.”
Martinez asked Hung if she had read media accounts of Ashley M.’s testimony. She answered yes but added, “I have no...
- 11/5/2022
- by Erik Pedersen
- Deadline Film + TV
Kelly Sipherd, a former actor who briefly met Harvey Weinstein during the Toronto International Film Festival when she was 24 years old in the early 90’s, testified that she was sexually assaulted by the producer in 1991 and again in 2008.
She told the jury that after Weinstein invited her up to his hotel room to see a movie script for a potential role, he forcibly performed oral sex on her and raped her, despite her repeatedly telling him to stop. Years later, during a chance run-in again at TIFF, when she intended to confront Weinstein for assaulting her nearly two decades later, he cornered her in a hotel bathroom and masturbated in front of her.
Over the years, Sipherd told a handful of friends about the alleged assault, but did not report the assaults to authorities until much later. She testified on Monday in Los Angeles that she told her friends what...
She told the jury that after Weinstein invited her up to his hotel room to see a movie script for a potential role, he forcibly performed oral sex on her and raped her, despite her repeatedly telling him to stop. Years later, during a chance run-in again at TIFF, when she intended to confront Weinstein for assaulting her nearly two decades later, he cornered her in a hotel bathroom and masturbated in front of her.
Over the years, Sipherd told a handful of friends about the alleged assault, but did not report the assaults to authorities until much later. She testified on Monday in Los Angeles that she told her friends what...
- 11/1/2022
- by Elizabeth Wagmeister
- Variety Film + TV
A former actor cried on the stand when testifying that Harvey Weinstein assaulted her two times, decades apart, during the Toronto International Film Festival.
Kelly Sipherd — who was an aspiring actor in the 80’s and 90’s, but has since left the entertainment business — went into graphic detail alleging Weinstein forced oral sex on her in 1991, and masturbated in front of her in 2008. Both alleged assaults occurred at the Four Seasons Hotel in Toronto.
“You’re going to love this. … It’s okay … it won’t be long,” Sipherd remembered Weinstein saying when he allegedly assaulted and raped her for the first time. She told the jury that she repeatedly asked him to stop.
She recalled him saying, “I’m going to fuck you. It won’t take long. Just relax.”
Sipherd is an uncharged witness, meaning the 11 charges Weinstein faces do not stem from her allegations. The jury will not...
Kelly Sipherd — who was an aspiring actor in the 80’s and 90’s, but has since left the entertainment business — went into graphic detail alleging Weinstein forced oral sex on her in 1991, and masturbated in front of her in 2008. Both alleged assaults occurred at the Four Seasons Hotel in Toronto.
“You’re going to love this. … It’s okay … it won’t be long,” Sipherd remembered Weinstein saying when he allegedly assaulted and raped her for the first time. She told the jury that she repeatedly asked him to stop.
She recalled him saying, “I’m going to fuck you. It won’t take long. Just relax.”
Sipherd is an uncharged witness, meaning the 11 charges Weinstein faces do not stem from her allegations. The jury will not...
- 10/31/2022
- by Elizabeth Wagmeister
- Variety Film + TV
The Los Angeles courtroom where Harvey Weinstein faces multiple rape charges became heated Monday when defense Attorney Alan Jackson – dispatched all trial long to launch fiery attacks on the credibility of accusers on the stand – began sparring with “Kelly S.,” the third of eight women who are set to testify against the disgraced movie mogul.
Earlier Monday (see below), Kelly S. told jurors that she was assaulted by Weinstein in 1991 at the Toronto Film festival. Then, 17 years later, she says she went up to his room to confront him about the rape – and he violated her again.
In a hectoring cross-examination, Jackson grilled Kelly S. about whether she had some kind of hidden interest in Weinstein, dancing around the question until he asked outright: “Did you find him fetching?”
Something about that lit a fire under Deputy District Attorney Marlene Martinez. Ahead of her redirect, she asked for a sidebar...
Earlier Monday (see below), Kelly S. told jurors that she was assaulted by Weinstein in 1991 at the Toronto Film festival. Then, 17 years later, she says she went up to his room to confront him about the rape – and he violated her again.
In a hectoring cross-examination, Jackson grilled Kelly S. about whether she had some kind of hidden interest in Weinstein, dancing around the question until he asked outright: “Did you find him fetching?”
Something about that lit a fire under Deputy District Attorney Marlene Martinez. Ahead of her redirect, she asked for a sidebar...
- 10/31/2022
- by Kelly Hartog and Josh Dickey
- The Wrap
The professional dancer hired as a body double for “Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights” testifying against Harvey Weinstein on Friday said she never got to shoot the one scene she traveled to Puerto Rico for because the producer ordered her off the set, whisked her away in a limo and raped her at a Ritz Carlton while she was supposed to be filming.
The witness, known as “Ashley M.” at trial, was testifying for a second day in a Los Angeles criminal court. She was just the second of eight women whose stories will be heard, and as a “prior bad acts” witness, hers is not one of the cases for which Weinstein is charged.
The day before, Ashley M. described how, arriving to the set alone for a dance scene as a body-double for the film’s lead, someone told her that “Harvey’s going to like you.” When the...
The witness, known as “Ashley M.” at trial, was testifying for a second day in a Los Angeles criminal court. She was just the second of eight women whose stories will be heard, and as a “prior bad acts” witness, hers is not one of the cases for which Weinstein is charged.
The day before, Ashley M. described how, arriving to the set alone for a dance scene as a body-double for the film’s lead, someone told her that “Harvey’s going to like you.” When the...
- 10/28/2022
- by Kelly Hartog and Josh Dickey
- The Wrap
A supporting witness testified on Thursday that Harvey Weinstein masturbated on her at his hotel room in 2003.
Former actress Ashley Matthau, a “prior bad acts” witness whose claims aren’t among the 11 counts of sexual assault that Weinstein faces, was visibly rattled while taking the stand. Matthau’s hand shook as she was being sworn in and she began crying before saying a single word. Matthau dabbed her tears with a tissue and took deep, labored breaths while she waited for Deputy District Attorney Marlene Martinez to begin her questioning.
When Martinez asked how she was feeling, Matthau said, “I’m really upset.”
Judge Lisa B. Lench encouraged Matthau to take a break and she was escorted out of the courtroom.
When she came back, Matthau testified that Weinstein masturbated and ejaculated on her at his hotel in 2003 in Puerto Rico, where she was shooting a small role in Miramax’s “Dirty Dancing” sequel,...
Former actress Ashley Matthau, a “prior bad acts” witness whose claims aren’t among the 11 counts of sexual assault that Weinstein faces, was visibly rattled while taking the stand. Matthau’s hand shook as she was being sworn in and she began crying before saying a single word. Matthau dabbed her tears with a tissue and took deep, labored breaths while she waited for Deputy District Attorney Marlene Martinez to begin her questioning.
When Martinez asked how she was feeling, Matthau said, “I’m really upset.”
Judge Lisa B. Lench encouraged Matthau to take a break and she was escorted out of the courtroom.
When she came back, Matthau testified that Weinstein masturbated and ejaculated on her at his hotel in 2003 in Puerto Rico, where she was shooting a small role in Miramax’s “Dirty Dancing” sequel,...
- 10/28/2022
- by Maane Khatchatourian
- Variety Film + TV
A dancer working on the Miramax sequel “Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights” testified Thursday that Harvey Weinstein all but ordered her off the active Puerto Rico set where she was working and into his car – using a female assistant to assure her compliance – then pinned and sexually assaulted her on the bed in his hotel room.
The witness, a tall blonde woman in a black shirt with white cuffs and black pants, entered the courtroom Thursday afternoon along with a victims’ services aide and LAPD detectives. She began sniffling and blotting her eyes immediately upon taking the stand, before any questions were even asked of her.
When Deputy District Attorney Marlene Martinez began asking questions, she could barely get out her words, and Judge Lisa Lench called for the afternoon break as shed broke out into apologetic sobs. With some [inaudible] words of comfort from the judge, they recessed and tried again after lunch.
The witness, a tall blonde woman in a black shirt with white cuffs and black pants, entered the courtroom Thursday afternoon along with a victims’ services aide and LAPD detectives. She began sniffling and blotting her eyes immediately upon taking the stand, before any questions were even asked of her.
When Deputy District Attorney Marlene Martinez began asking questions, she could barely get out her words, and Judge Lisa Lench called for the afternoon break as shed broke out into apologetic sobs. With some [inaudible] words of comfort from the judge, they recessed and tried again after lunch.
- 10/27/2022
- by Kelly Hartog and Josh Dickey
- The Wrap
Click here to read the full article.
In a dramatic moment at the Clara Shortridge Foltz courthouse in downtown Los Angeles, Scrubs executive producer Eric Weinberg was remanded into custody when presiding judge Virginia Wilson agreed with the prosecutor that he remains an active and credible societal danger. Through his attorney, Weinberg pleaded not guilty to 18 charges of sexual assault. He was previously free on 5 million bail.
Initially standing before the judge, Weinberg crumpled onto the wooden bench behind him as Wilson declared that “the defendant has engaged in a pattern of violence towards women for over six years.”
Weinberg stands accused of six counts of sexual penetration by use of force, four counts of oral copulation, three counts of forcible rape, two counts of sexual battery by restraint and one count each of assault by means of force likely to cause great bodily injury, attempted sexual penetration by use...
In a dramatic moment at the Clara Shortridge Foltz courthouse in downtown Los Angeles, Scrubs executive producer Eric Weinberg was remanded into custody when presiding judge Virginia Wilson agreed with the prosecutor that he remains an active and credible societal danger. Through his attorney, Weinberg pleaded not guilty to 18 charges of sexual assault. He was previously free on 5 million bail.
Initially standing before the judge, Weinberg crumpled onto the wooden bench behind him as Wilson declared that “the defendant has engaged in a pattern of violence towards women for over six years.”
Weinberg stands accused of six counts of sexual penetration by use of force, four counts of oral copulation, three counts of forcible rape, two counts of sexual battery by restraint and one count each of assault by means of force likely to cause great bodily injury, attempted sexual penetration by use...
- 10/25/2022
- by Samuel Braslow
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The long-delayed Los Angeles rape trial of disgraced film mogul Harvey Weinstein will begin Monday after a jury was selected today in a downtown courtroom.
The parties and Judge Lisa Lench still are working to empanel 10 alternate jurors for the trial, in which Weinstein faces four counts of rape, four counts of forcible oral copulation, one count of sexual penetration by use of force, plus one count of sexual battery by restraint and sexual battery in incidents involving five women in L.A. County over a nine-year period.
First charged and arrested for rape in May 2018 after the New York Times in October 2017 detailed decades of abuse and alleged assaults, Weinstein already has been sentenced to 23 years in prison after his 2020 trial in New York. After a prolonged legal battle over jurisdictions, Weinstein was flown out to LA on July 20 last year.
The 70-year old Weinstein recently had his appeal...
The parties and Judge Lisa Lench still are working to empanel 10 alternate jurors for the trial, in which Weinstein faces four counts of rape, four counts of forcible oral copulation, one count of sexual penetration by use of force, plus one count of sexual battery by restraint and sexual battery in incidents involving five women in L.A. County over a nine-year period.
First charged and arrested for rape in May 2018 after the New York Times in October 2017 detailed decades of abuse and alleged assaults, Weinstein already has been sentenced to 23 years in prison after his 2020 trial in New York. After a prolonged legal battle over jurisdictions, Weinstein was flown out to LA on July 20 last year.
The 70-year old Weinstein recently had his appeal...
- 10/20/2022
- by Dominic Patten and Erik Pedersen
- Deadline Film + TV
Former reality star Holly Madison, who earlier dated and lived with ‘Playboy’ founder Hugh Hefner, won’t be called to testify during Harvey Weinstein’s Los Angeles rape trial, a judge has ruled.
The defence wanted Madison to take the stand in order to undermine testimony from actress Ashley Matthau, one of the uncharged supporting witnesses, reports ‘Variety’.
Matthau, who’s accusing Weinstein of sexual battery, claims the former mogul masturbated on her at his hotel in 2003 in Puerto Rico, where they were shooting Miramax’s ‘Dirty Dancing’ sequel, ‘Havana Nights’.
According to ‘Variety’, Madison is close friends with Matthau. The defence intended to question her about the two partying together at the Playboy Mansion to prove that Matthau wasn’t a “young, sexually inexperienced naif” who was unfamiliar with “the ways of Hollywood”.
“They want to portray her as this innocent girl but they don’t want me to...
The defence wanted Madison to take the stand in order to undermine testimony from actress Ashley Matthau, one of the uncharged supporting witnesses, reports ‘Variety’.
Matthau, who’s accusing Weinstein of sexual battery, claims the former mogul masturbated on her at his hotel in 2003 in Puerto Rico, where they were shooting Miramax’s ‘Dirty Dancing’ sequel, ‘Havana Nights’.
According to ‘Variety’, Madison is close friends with Matthau. The defence intended to question her about the two partying together at the Playboy Mansion to prove that Matthau wasn’t a “young, sexually inexperienced naif” who was unfamiliar with “the ways of Hollywood”.
“They want to portray her as this innocent girl but they don’t want me to...
- 10/19/2022
- by Glamsham Bureau
- GlamSham
Former reality star Holly Madison won’t be called to testify during Harvey Weinstein’s Los Angeles rape trial, a judge ruled on Tuesday.
The defense wanted Madison to take the stand in order to undermine testimony from actress Ashley Matthau, one of the uncharged supporting witnesses. Matthau, who’s accusing Weinstein of sexual battery, claims the former mogul masturbated on her at his hotel in 2003 in Puerto Rico, where they were shooting Miramax’s “Dirty Dancing” sequel, “Havana Nights.”
Madison, who dated and lived with Playboy founder Hugh Hefner from 2001 to 2008, is close friends with Matthau. The defense intended on questioning her about the two partying together at the Playboy Mansion to prove that Matthau wasn’t a “young, sexually inexperienced naif” who was unfamiliar with “the ways of Hollywood.”
“They want to portray her as this innocent girl but they don’t want me to ask about all...
The defense wanted Madison to take the stand in order to undermine testimony from actress Ashley Matthau, one of the uncharged supporting witnesses. Matthau, who’s accusing Weinstein of sexual battery, claims the former mogul masturbated on her at his hotel in 2003 in Puerto Rico, where they were shooting Miramax’s “Dirty Dancing” sequel, “Havana Nights.”
Madison, who dated and lived with Playboy founder Hugh Hefner from 2001 to 2008, is close friends with Matthau. The defense intended on questioning her about the two partying together at the Playboy Mansion to prove that Matthau wasn’t a “young, sexually inexperienced naif” who was unfamiliar with “the ways of Hollywood.”
“They want to portray her as this innocent girl but they don’t want me to ask about all...
- 10/18/2022
- by Maane Khatchatourian
- Variety Film + TV
Harvey Weinstein’s lawyer plans to argue that the imprisoned producer did not sexually assault Jennifer Siebel Newsom nearly 20 years ago but instead had “consensual sex” with California’s now-First Partner.
In a motions hearing Monday in downtown Los Angeles ahead of Weinstein’s criminal trial, lawyers for the defense and the L.A. County District Attorney’s office were at loggerheads over the inclusion of a 2007 correspondence between Newsom and Weinstein over revelations of an affair Gavin Newsom had with an aide while mayor of San Francisco.
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Citing “bad press” fallout from the affair,...
In a motions hearing Monday in downtown Los Angeles ahead of Weinstein’s criminal trial, lawyers for the defense and the L.A. County District Attorney’s office were at loggerheads over the inclusion of a 2007 correspondence between Newsom and Weinstein over revelations of an affair Gavin Newsom had with an aide while mayor of San Francisco.
Related Story The Power That Drove 'She Said' Stars Zoe Kazan & Carey Mulligan To Play The Journalists Who Exposed Harvey Weinstein: "They Changed The World" Related Story California's Covid State Of Emergency Will End In February, Almost 3 Years After It Was Instituted, Announces Newsom Related Story Mel Gibson Eligible To Testify In Harvey Weinstein Sex Crimes Trial, Judge Says
Citing “bad press” fallout from the affair,...
- 10/17/2022
- by Dominic Patten
- Deadline Film + TV
When Jennifer Siebel Newsom was caught in the midst of a sex scandal in 2007, she reached out to Harvey Weinstein for help.
Siebel Newsom, who was identified by the L.A. Times as Jane Doe 4 last week, emailed Weinstein in 2007, two years after he allegedly raped her, seeking advice for how to handle “bad press” when then-boyfriend Gavin Newsom admitted to having an affair with his campaign manager’s wife. Siebel Newsom defended Newsom — who was the mayor of San Francisco at the time and is now governor of California — and made disparaging comments about the woman, calling her the “culprit” in this affair.
A judge ruled on Monday that Weinstein’s defense can introduce the email but can’t question Siebel Newsom about its details.
“Of all things you’d think a woman that is raped by Harvey Weinstein wouldn’t do, it’s [ask him] how to deal with a sex scandal,...
Siebel Newsom, who was identified by the L.A. Times as Jane Doe 4 last week, emailed Weinstein in 2007, two years after he allegedly raped her, seeking advice for how to handle “bad press” when then-boyfriend Gavin Newsom admitted to having an affair with his campaign manager’s wife. Siebel Newsom defended Newsom — who was the mayor of San Francisco at the time and is now governor of California — and made disparaging comments about the woman, calling her the “culprit” in this affair.
A judge ruled on Monday that Weinstein’s defense can introduce the email but can’t question Siebel Newsom about its details.
“Of all things you’d think a woman that is raped by Harvey Weinstein wouldn’t do, it’s [ask him] how to deal with a sex scandal,...
- 10/17/2022
- by Maane Khatchatourian
- Variety Film + TV
Mel Gibson can testify about what he learned from one of Harvey Weinstein’s accusers, a judge ruled Friday in the rape and sexual assault trial of the former movie mogul.
The 66-year-old actor and director was one of many witnesses, and by far the best known, whose identities were revealed in Los Angeles Superior Court. The judge and attorneys had taken a break from jury selection for motions on what evidence will be allowed at the trial, and who can testify. The witness list for the trial is sealed.
Judge Lisa B. Lench ruled that Gibson can testify in support of his masseuse and friend, who will be known as Jane Doe #3 at the trial. Weinstein is accused of committing sexual battery by restraint against the woman, one of 11 rape and sexual assault counts in the trial against the 70-year-old.
Prosecutors said that after getting a massage from the...
The 66-year-old actor and director was one of many witnesses, and by far the best known, whose identities were revealed in Los Angeles Superior Court. The judge and attorneys had taken a break from jury selection for motions on what evidence will be allowed at the trial, and who can testify. The witness list for the trial is sealed.
Judge Lisa B. Lench ruled that Gibson can testify in support of his masseuse and friend, who will be known as Jane Doe #3 at the trial. Weinstein is accused of committing sexual battery by restraint against the woman, one of 11 rape and sexual assault counts in the trial against the 70-year-old.
Prosecutors said that after getting a massage from the...
- 10/15/2022
- by Melissa Romualdi
- ET Canada
Actor Mel Gibson can be called to testify against Harvey Weinstein at the producer’s upcoming Los Angeles rape trial, a judge ruled on Friday.
Prosecutors want to call the actor to support the allegations of Jane Doe 3, who claims that Weinstein sexually assaulted her after she gave him a massage at his hotel in 2010, reports Variety.
According to Deputy District Attorney Marlene Martinez, the woman later told Gibson about the incident during a massage, and Gibson’s testimony would help buttress her allegation.
Judge Lisa B. Lench allowed prosecutors to call Gibson to the stand. She also denied a defense request that they be allowed to ask Gibson about racist and anti-semitic statements he has made over the years. But the defense will be allowed to ask whether Gibson holds a grudge against Weinstein.
The defense argued that Gibson has ill will toward Weinstein dating from the release of...
Prosecutors want to call the actor to support the allegations of Jane Doe 3, who claims that Weinstein sexually assaulted her after she gave him a massage at his hotel in 2010, reports Variety.
According to Deputy District Attorney Marlene Martinez, the woman later told Gibson about the incident during a massage, and Gibson’s testimony would help buttress her allegation.
Judge Lisa B. Lench allowed prosecutors to call Gibson to the stand. She also denied a defense request that they be allowed to ask Gibson about racist and anti-semitic statements he has made over the years. But the defense will be allowed to ask whether Gibson holds a grudge against Weinstein.
The defense argued that Gibson has ill will toward Weinstein dating from the release of...
- 10/15/2022
- by Glamsham Bureau
- GlamSham
Mel Gibson can be called to testify against Harvey Weinstein at the producer’s upcoming Los Angeles rape trial, a judge ruled on Friday.
Prosecutors want to call the actor to support the allegations of Jane Doe 3, who claims that Weinstein sexually assaulted her after she gave him a massage at his hotel in 2010. According to Deputy District Attorney Marlene Martinez, the woman later told Gibson about the incident during a massage, and Gibson’s testimony would help buttress her allegation.
Judge Lisa B. Lench allowed prosecutors to call Gibson to the stand. She also denied a defense request that they be allowed to ask Gibson about racist and antisemitic statements he has made over the years. But the defense will be allowed to ask whether Gibson holds a grudge against Weinstein.
The defense argued that Gibson has ill will toward Weinstein dating from the release of “Passion of the Christ,...
Prosecutors want to call the actor to support the allegations of Jane Doe 3, who claims that Weinstein sexually assaulted her after she gave him a massage at his hotel in 2010. According to Deputy District Attorney Marlene Martinez, the woman later told Gibson about the incident during a massage, and Gibson’s testimony would help buttress her allegation.
Judge Lisa B. Lench allowed prosecutors to call Gibson to the stand. She also denied a defense request that they be allowed to ask Gibson about racist and antisemitic statements he has made over the years. But the defense will be allowed to ask whether Gibson holds a grudge against Weinstein.
The defense argued that Gibson has ill will toward Weinstein dating from the release of “Passion of the Christ,...
- 10/15/2022
- by Maane Khatchatourian
- Variety Film + TV
Jury selection in Harvey Weinstein’s trial is officially underway.
Weinstein, who was convicted of rape and sexual assault in his New York trial in 2020, faces 11 new charges in Los Angeles in a trial that began Monday morning at the criminal courthouse in downtown L.A. Nine women are expected to testify in a trial that could effectively put Weinstein behind bars for life, if convicted.
Weinstein — whose monumental fall was the fuse the ignited the #MeToo movement — is already serving a 23-year sentence from his 2020 conviction where Weinstein was found guilty of third-degree rape and a first-degree criminal sexual act. The New York Court of Appeals, which is the highest court in that state, has agreed to hear his case. Weinstein was extradited in July 2021 to L.A. from N.Y., where he was serving his sentence.
Weinstein was present at the courthouse on Monday where his lawyers, Alan Jackson and Mark Werksman,...
Weinstein, who was convicted of rape and sexual assault in his New York trial in 2020, faces 11 new charges in Los Angeles in a trial that began Monday morning at the criminal courthouse in downtown L.A. Nine women are expected to testify in a trial that could effectively put Weinstein behind bars for life, if convicted.
Weinstein — whose monumental fall was the fuse the ignited the #MeToo movement — is already serving a 23-year sentence from his 2020 conviction where Weinstein was found guilty of third-degree rape and a first-degree criminal sexual act. The New York Court of Appeals, which is the highest court in that state, has agreed to hear his case. Weinstein was extradited in July 2021 to L.A. from N.Y., where he was serving his sentence.
Weinstein was present at the courthouse on Monday where his lawyers, Alan Jackson and Mark Werksman,...
- 10/10/2022
- by Elizabeth Wagmeister
- Variety Film + TV
Click here to read the full article.
The court date of Scrubs writer and co-executive producer Eric Weinberg, who was arrested in July on sexual assault charges, has been postponed, according to the accusers involved in the case.
Weinberg, who was previously arrested on suspicion of rape in 2014, was scheduled to be arraigned Friday, Aug. 12, at which point the District Attorney’s office would present the charges against him and he would enter a plea.
The Deputy District Attorney (Dda) reviewing the case, Marlene Martinez, informed the accusers Thursday that her office would need more time to review a sudden and large influx of evidence delivered by detectives with the Los Angeles Police Department.
Officers with the LAPD arrested Weinberg on July 14 at his Los Feliz home. According to an arrest report, Weinberg allegedly assaulted multiple women from 2012 to 2019, though investigators suspect victims as far back as the ‘90s. The...
The court date of Scrubs writer and co-executive producer Eric Weinberg, who was arrested in July on sexual assault charges, has been postponed, according to the accusers involved in the case.
Weinberg, who was previously arrested on suspicion of rape in 2014, was scheduled to be arraigned Friday, Aug. 12, at which point the District Attorney’s office would present the charges against him and he would enter a plea.
The Deputy District Attorney (Dda) reviewing the case, Marlene Martinez, informed the accusers Thursday that her office would need more time to review a sudden and large influx of evidence delivered by detectives with the Los Angeles Police Department.
Officers with the LAPD arrested Weinberg on July 14 at his Los Feliz home. According to an arrest report, Weinberg allegedly assaulted multiple women from 2012 to 2019, though investigators suspect victims as far back as the ‘90s. The...
- 8/12/2022
- by Samuel Braslow
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Ron Jeremy’s serial rape case was suspended in Los Angeles on Thursday after the jailed porn star appeared incoherent and unable to recognize his own lawyer ahead of a critical hearing in the case.
“I was just up in the cell where he was being kept, and I tried to get his attention unsuccessfully,” his defense lawyer, Stuart Goldfarb, told the court ahead of what was supposed to be a key hearing in the disturbing case involving 21 alleged victims. “He was unable to determine who I was and wouldn...
“I was just up in the cell where he was being kept, and I tried to get his attention unsuccessfully,” his defense lawyer, Stuart Goldfarb, told the court ahead of what was supposed to be a key hearing in the disturbing case involving 21 alleged victims. “He was unable to determine who I was and wouldn...
- 3/17/2022
- by Nancy Dillon
- Rollingstone.com
Jailed porn star Ron Jeremy is asking a Los Angeles judge to break up his serial rape case into separate trials for each of his 21 sex assault accusers.
At a hearing Monday, the judge said he was ready to rule on Jeremy’s motion, filed Feb. 2, but prosecutors asked for more time to respond to the lengthy and novel severance request that seemed to catch them by surprise.
Jeremy, 68, who was born Ronald Hyatt, argues his right to due process will be violated if he’s forced into one umbrella...
At a hearing Monday, the judge said he was ready to rule on Jeremy’s motion, filed Feb. 2, but prosecutors asked for more time to respond to the lengthy and novel severance request that seemed to catch them by surprise.
Jeremy, 68, who was born Ronald Hyatt, argues his right to due process will be violated if he’s forced into one umbrella...
- 2/7/2022
- by EJ Dickson and Nancy Dillon
- Rollingstone.com
Updated, 2:35 Pm: With just six days to go in a tight Los Angeles County District Attorney’s race, incumbent Jackie Lacey’s office just unveiled seven new sexual assault charges against Ron Jeremy.
Involving five women and a 17-year-old girl, the new charges and previous claims could see 67-year-old porn star facing 330 years in state prison if found guilty. The rape and other sex crimes revealed today range from 1996 in the San Fernando Valley to 2013 in a West Hollywood bar.
What is equally chilling is that 14 other cases were denied by the L.A. D.A.’s office “because they were outside the statute of limitations.” All of the six cases allowed in today’s charges were from 2000 to 2013, except the 1996 incident, which involved a minor.
First arrested back in June, Jeremy now is looking at a total of 11 counts of forcible rape, eight counts of sexual battery by restraint,...
Involving five women and a 17-year-old girl, the new charges and previous claims could see 67-year-old porn star facing 330 years in state prison if found guilty. The rape and other sex crimes revealed today range from 1996 in the San Fernando Valley to 2013 in a West Hollywood bar.
What is equally chilling is that 14 other cases were denied by the L.A. D.A.’s office “because they were outside the statute of limitations.” All of the six cases allowed in today’s charges were from 2000 to 2013, except the 1996 incident, which involved a minor.
First arrested back in June, Jeremy now is looking at a total of 11 counts of forcible rape, eight counts of sexual battery by restraint,...
- 10/28/2020
- by Tom Tapp and Dominic Patten
- Deadline Film + TV
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