It was Valentine’s Day earlier this year when, in an Albany courtroom, the seven judges that make up the New York State Court of Appeals spent part of their day hearing oral arguments about potentially overturning the nearly four-year-old landmark trial in which Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein was found guilty of two of five felony counts of rape, resulting in a prison sentence of 23 years. On Thursday, more than two months later, the court announced it has reversed the mogul’s conviction in what is a shocking move to many and a pivotal moment in the #MeToo era.
Others who were closely watching the case and the proceedings on that February day in Albany may feel less shocked by the reversal. That Wednesday, the court’s seven judges — four women and three men — held both defense and the prosecution attorneys to account for their arguments, which centered around the...
Others who were closely watching the case and the proceedings on that February day in Albany may feel less shocked by the reversal. That Wednesday, the court’s seven judges — four women and three men — held both defense and the prosecution attorneys to account for their arguments, which centered around the...
- 4/26/2024
- by Kevin Dolak
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
With an appeals court overturning Harvey Weinstein’s conviction in New York, all eyes are now looking toward the integrity of a California judge’s decisions that led to a Los Angeles jury’s verdict finding him guilty of rape.
Weinstein’s fate may rest on a key distinction between the two states in cases dealing with sexual assault: California allows courts to introduce evidence that demonstrate a defendant’s propensity to commit sex crimes, even when the allegations haven’t led to formal charges. New York, meanwhile, only allows such evidence solely when it’s necessary to provide history on a defendant’s motive, intent or common scheme to carry out the alleged crimes.
If New York prosecutors fail to secure a conviction in a retrial, that subtle difference could swing whether Weinstein, 72, is released from prison or likely spends the majority of the remainder of his life behind bars.
Weinstein’s fate may rest on a key distinction between the two states in cases dealing with sexual assault: California allows courts to introduce evidence that demonstrate a defendant’s propensity to commit sex crimes, even when the allegations haven’t led to formal charges. New York, meanwhile, only allows such evidence solely when it’s necessary to provide history on a defendant’s motive, intent or common scheme to carry out the alleged crimes.
If New York prosecutors fail to secure a conviction in a retrial, that subtle difference could swing whether Weinstein, 72, is released from prison or likely spends the majority of the remainder of his life behind bars.
- 4/25/2024
- by Winston Cho
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The three women who accused Danny Masterson of raping them at his Los Angeles home in the early 2000s each said the same thing: The actor gave them a drink that quickly made them feel disoriented before he raped them.
In the first trial, which ended in a hung jury in November, prosecutors weren’t allowed to argue outright that Masterson drugged his accusers. They could only hint that was his method of assault through testimony from the women, who said the amount they drank didn’t line up with their memory loss or the degree to which they felt intoxicated.
That changed in Masterson’s retrial. L.A. Superior Court Judge Charlaine Olmedo gave prosecutors free rein to tell jurors that the actor drugged the women in what may have been the key difference-maker that netted the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office a conviction in one of the...
In the first trial, which ended in a hung jury in November, prosecutors weren’t allowed to argue outright that Masterson drugged his accusers. They could only hint that was his method of assault through testimony from the women, who said the amount they drank didn’t line up with their memory loss or the degree to which they felt intoxicated.
That changed in Masterson’s retrial. L.A. Superior Court Judge Charlaine Olmedo gave prosecutors free rein to tell jurors that the actor drugged the women in what may have been the key difference-maker that netted the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office a conviction in one of the...
- 6/2/2023
- by Winston Cho
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Danny Masterson was found guilty on Wednesday of raping two women at his Los Angeles home in the early 2000s. But in a split verdict, the jury couldn’t reach a decision on another sexual assault charge.
The jurors, seven women and five men, convicted the That ’70s Show actor on forcible rape charges involving two women. They were split on a charge relating to ex-girlfriend Chrissie Carnell-Bixler, who has publicly identified herself as one of Masterson’s accusers, with most favoring guilty, eight to four.
Masterson, who was taken into custody, faces 30 years to life in prison.
The decision caps off a retrial in one of the most high-profile criminal cases of the #MeToo movement. The investigation into Masterson was initiated in 2017, when three women came forward with allegations around the same time Harvey Weinstein was publicly accused of sexually assaulting multiple women. In November, a mistrial was declared...
The jurors, seven women and five men, convicted the That ’70s Show actor on forcible rape charges involving two women. They were split on a charge relating to ex-girlfriend Chrissie Carnell-Bixler, who has publicly identified herself as one of Masterson’s accusers, with most favoring guilty, eight to four.
Masterson, who was taken into custody, faces 30 years to life in prison.
The decision caps off a retrial in one of the most high-profile criminal cases of the #MeToo movement. The investigation into Masterson was initiated in 2017, when three women came forward with allegations around the same time Harvey Weinstein was publicly accused of sexually assaulting multiple women. In November, a mistrial was declared...
- 5/31/2023
- by Winston Cho
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
A decision by New Mexico authorities to bring involuntary manslaughter charges against Alec Baldwin for the fatal Rust shooting of Halyna Hutchins has been called “bold” and “aggressive” by legal experts.
The charges against Baldwin and other crew members were announced by Santa Fe County District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies and special prosecutor Andrea Reeb on 19 January and formally filed on 31 January.
Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, the movie’s armourer, was charged with two counts of involuntary manslaughter over the shooting.
The film’s assistant director, Dave Halls, has already signed a plea agreement for the charge of negligent use of a deadly weapon. The district attorney says that the charges against Baldwin carry up to a maximum 18-month prison sentence.
Former prosecutors and attorneys have been reacting to the decision to criminally charge the Hollywood star over the October 2021 set shooting.
“Prosecutors have taken a bold step by charging Baldwin,” former Los Angeles County prosecutor Joshua Ritter,...
The charges against Baldwin and other crew members were announced by Santa Fe County District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies and special prosecutor Andrea Reeb on 19 January and formally filed on 31 January.
Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, the movie’s armourer, was charged with two counts of involuntary manslaughter over the shooting.
The film’s assistant director, Dave Halls, has already signed a plea agreement for the charge of negligent use of a deadly weapon. The district attorney says that the charges against Baldwin carry up to a maximum 18-month prison sentence.
Former prosecutors and attorneys have been reacting to the decision to criminally charge the Hollywood star over the October 2021 set shooting.
“Prosecutors have taken a bold step by charging Baldwin,” former Los Angeles County prosecutor Joshua Ritter,...
- 1/31/2023
- by Graeme Massie
- The Independent - Film
Click here to read the full article.
Two of the most high-profile, closely watched criminal cases of the #MeToo era are headed to trial in October, starting within a day of each other. Harvey Weinstein and Danny Masterson will face juries at the Clara Shortridge Foltz courthouse in downtown L.A., defending against allegations that they raped multiple women.
Weinstein is charged with 11 counts of sex crimes, including rape, in connection with the assaults of five women from 2004 to 2013, which cumulatively carry a sentence of up to 140 years. Masterson is charged with three counts of rape between 2001 and 2003, which collectively could mean up to 45 years in prison. Both have steadfastly maintained their innocence.
Ahead of the trials, The Hollywood Reporter spoke with legal observers who note that sexual assault exists in a special domain of law. A statute in the California evidence code will allow jurors to use individual charges...
Two of the most high-profile, closely watched criminal cases of the #MeToo era are headed to trial in October, starting within a day of each other. Harvey Weinstein and Danny Masterson will face juries at the Clara Shortridge Foltz courthouse in downtown L.A., defending against allegations that they raped multiple women.
Weinstein is charged with 11 counts of sex crimes, including rape, in connection with the assaults of five women from 2004 to 2013, which cumulatively carry a sentence of up to 140 years. Masterson is charged with three counts of rape between 2001 and 2003, which collectively could mean up to 45 years in prison. Both have steadfastly maintained their innocence.
Ahead of the trials, The Hollywood Reporter spoke with legal observers who note that sexual assault exists in a special domain of law. A statute in the California evidence code will allow jurors to use individual charges...
- 10/7/2022
- by Winston Cho
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Bravo may have turned out the lights on Shahs of Sunset earlier this year, but Mike Shouhed of the Ryan Seacrest-executive produced reality series is in the spotlight on a mix of domestic violence and weapons charges.
Several months after the real estate broker was arrested on “intimate partner violence with injury” allegations, Los Angeles City Attorney Mike Feuer leveled 14 criminal charges against Shouhed today. The former unscripted star faces more than a decade behind bars if found guilty.
To counter that outcome, Shouhed entered a not guilty plea at yesterday’s arraignment to duel counts of domestic violence, four counts of domestic battery, and two counts of intimidating a witness. He also pleaded not guilty to one count of possession of an assault weapon, two counts of criminal storage of a firearm, two counts of unsafe storage of a firearm and one count of carrying a concealed weapon. Out...
Several months after the real estate broker was arrested on “intimate partner violence with injury” allegations, Los Angeles City Attorney Mike Feuer leveled 14 criminal charges against Shouhed today. The former unscripted star faces more than a decade behind bars if found guilty.
To counter that outcome, Shouhed entered a not guilty plea at yesterday’s arraignment to duel counts of domestic violence, four counts of domestic battery, and two counts of intimidating a witness. He also pleaded not guilty to one count of possession of an assault weapon, two counts of criminal storage of a firearm, two counts of unsafe storage of a firearm and one count of carrying a concealed weapon. Out...
- 7/26/2022
- by Dominic Patten
- Deadline Film + TV
Paulina Ben-Cohen is speaking out after her fiancé, Shahs of Sunset star Mike Shouhed, was recently arrested and booked on a felony charge. In an April 14 statement issued to E! News on Ben-Cohen's behalf, her lawyer Joshua Ritter said, "We are working with the authorities to seek a just and fair outcome to this sad situation. The family appreciates your space and respect for their privacy during this time." Shouhed was taken into custody on March 27 and charged around 1:05 a.m. the following day, according to records for the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department. Hours later, he paid his 50,000 bond and was released. A specific charge wasn't listed on Shouhed's...
- 4/14/2022
- E! Online
One surefire way to draw investors is to promise them a piece of the cannabis or vaping industry — or better yet, both. That’s what one self-described “brazen” California “businessman” did, according to the Department of Justice. The only problem is he allegedly didn’t actually run a company. On Tuesday, federal authorities in the state’s Central District arrested 53-year-old David Joseph Bunevacz for wire fraud, alleging he conned more than 37 million from investors to fund cannabis vape pen business that didn’t exist, then used the money to support his lavish lifestyle instead.
- 4/6/2022
- by Andrea Marks
- Rollingstone.com
Stars: Matthew McConaughey, Snoop Dogg, Isla Fisher, Stefania Lavie Owen, Martin Lawrence, Zac Efron, Jonah Hill, Donovan St V. Williams, Clinton Archambault, Jerry Ascione, Ricardo Matallana, Joshua Ritter | Written and Directed by Harmony Korine
[Note: With the film finally getting a physical release in the UK, here’s a reposting of our review of Harmony Korine’s The Beach Bum from it’s Us debut over a year ago]
The Beach Bum is directed by independent auteur filmmaker Harmony Korine and his first feature film in a seven-year interval after his critically abolished but cult classic feature Spring Breakers, that gave the filmmaker a second wind of sorts after a decade of influence in the 90s with Kids, Gummo and Julien Donkey-Boy. His latest – structurally speaking – is a complete disaster but this a Harmony Korine film and the truly outlandish provocative nature is superbly chaotic and downright outrageously infectious. A terrific hangout film with one very unique superb leading character of Moondog, expertly performed by Matthew McConaughey.
As stated above, the structure utilised...
[Note: With the film finally getting a physical release in the UK, here’s a reposting of our review of Harmony Korine’s The Beach Bum from it’s Us debut over a year ago]
The Beach Bum is directed by independent auteur filmmaker Harmony Korine and his first feature film in a seven-year interval after his critically abolished but cult classic feature Spring Breakers, that gave the filmmaker a second wind of sorts after a decade of influence in the 90s with Kids, Gummo and Julien Donkey-Boy. His latest – structurally speaking – is a complete disaster but this a Harmony Korine film and the truly outlandish provocative nature is superbly chaotic and downright outrageously infectious. A terrific hangout film with one very unique superb leading character of Moondog, expertly performed by Matthew McConaughey.
As stated above, the structure utilised...
- 4/27/2020
- by Jak-Luke Sharp
- Nerdly
Stars: Matthew McConaughey, Snoop Dogg, Isla Fisher, Stefania Lavie Owen, Martin Lawrence, Zac Efron, Jonah Hill, Donovan St V. Williams, Clinton Archambault, Jerry Ascione, Ricardo Matallana, Joshua Ritter | Written and Directed by Harmony Korine
The Beach Bum is directed by independent auteur filmmaker Harmony Korine and his first feature film in a seven-year interval after his critically abolished but cult classic feature Spring Breakers, that gave the filmmaker a second wind of sorts after a decade of influence in the 90s with Kids, Gummo and Julien Donkey-Boy. His latest – structurally speaking – is a complete disaster but this a Harmony Korine film and the truly outlandish provocative nature is superbly chaotic and downright outrageously infectious. A terrific hangout film with one very unique superb leading character of Moondog, expertly performed by Matthew McConaughey.
As stated above, the structure utilised by Korine and editor Douglas Crise is virtually non-existent. Forget about act...
The Beach Bum is directed by independent auteur filmmaker Harmony Korine and his first feature film in a seven-year interval after his critically abolished but cult classic feature Spring Breakers, that gave the filmmaker a second wind of sorts after a decade of influence in the 90s with Kids, Gummo and Julien Donkey-Boy. His latest – structurally speaking – is a complete disaster but this a Harmony Korine film and the truly outlandish provocative nature is superbly chaotic and downright outrageously infectious. A terrific hangout film with one very unique superb leading character of Moondog, expertly performed by Matthew McConaughey.
As stated above, the structure utilised by Korine and editor Douglas Crise is virtually non-existent. Forget about act...
- 4/3/2019
- by Jak-Luke Sharp
- Nerdly
Director Harmony Korine may have been wastin’ away again in Margaritaville when he came up with the idea for “The Beach Bum.”
According to Jimmy Buffett, his songs “Margaritaville” and “A Pirate Looks at Forty” inspired the stoner comedy, and his friendship with Korine landed him a role in the film.
“He was telling me about the whole thing and that it was based on some songs I had written,” Buffett told Variety at the film’s premiere at the ArcLight Hollywood on Thursday. “It was a bigger part than I really thought I was capable of doing. He said, ‘If I ever get it done, would you consider being in it?’ and I said, ‘Sure I will.’ I was already on board, and when he told me who was coming on board, it just made the whole ride even more fun.”
The Gulf and Western artist also explained how...
According to Jimmy Buffett, his songs “Margaritaville” and “A Pirate Looks at Forty” inspired the stoner comedy, and his friendship with Korine landed him a role in the film.
“He was telling me about the whole thing and that it was based on some songs I had written,” Buffett told Variety at the film’s premiere at the ArcLight Hollywood on Thursday. “It was a bigger part than I really thought I was capable of doing. He said, ‘If I ever get it done, would you consider being in it?’ and I said, ‘Sure I will.’ I was already on board, and when he told me who was coming on board, it just made the whole ride even more fun.”
The Gulf and Western artist also explained how...
- 3/29/2019
- by Jordan Moreau
- Variety Film + TV
How can you tell when a movie star is committed to being taken seriously? It’s hard to ignore when someone like Matthew McConaughey drops a ton of weight, the way he did to play an emaciated HIV patient in “Dallas Buyers Club.” It’s also impressive when such an actor swings hard in the opposite direction, packing on the pounds, thinning out his hair, and masking his prom-king choppers with a set of crooked veneers, as McConaughey did for “Gold.” Stunts like that have forced audiences to reevaluate him as more than just a superficially handsome stud.
In Harmony Korine’s “The Beach Bum,” disguised beneath stringy Hulk Hogan-style hair, cheap flip-up baseball shades, and an ugly yellow snaggletooth, McConaughey shows the same kind of commitment in the role of Moondog — pot head and unofficial poet laureate of the Florida Keys — only this time, he’s unlikely to command the same respect.
In Harmony Korine’s “The Beach Bum,” disguised beneath stringy Hulk Hogan-style hair, cheap flip-up baseball shades, and an ugly yellow snaggletooth, McConaughey shows the same kind of commitment in the role of Moondog — pot head and unofficial poet laureate of the Florida Keys — only this time, he’s unlikely to command the same respect.
- 3/10/2019
- by Peter Debruge
- Variety Film + TV
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