Harvey Weinstein Sentenced To 23 Years In Jail; Hollywood Reacts
Weinstein's lawyer had recently told the jury that anything more than five years in prison would be a death sentence.
Harvey Weinstein, the disgraced film producer accused of harassing more than 80 women, has been sentenced to 23 years in prison.
Shortly before his sentencing, Weinstein addressed the court.
“First of all, to all the women who testified, we may have different truths, but I have great remorse for all of you,” he told the courtroom. “I have great remorse for all the men and women going through this crisis right now in our country.”
Later in his address, Weinstein compared his trial to the red scare of the ’50s, when Joseph McCarthy spearheaded an attack on Communist sympathisers in Hollywood.
“I’m worried there is a repeat of the blacklist there was in the 1950’s when lots of men like myself, Dalton Trumbo, one of the great examples, did not work, went to jail because people thought they were communists,” Weinstein said. “You know, there was a scare, and that is what happened, and I think that is what is happening now all over this country.”
Previously, Weinstein’s lawyer had told the courtroom that if he went to jail for more than five years, he would die in prison.
After the sentence was handed down, a number of key celebrities spoke out about the man on Twitter.
A historical moment today. I am so appreciative of the women and men who spoke up about the abuse and harassment they suffered at the hands of Harvey Weinstein.
— Reese Witherspoon (@ReeseW) March 11, 2020
This gives me renewed hope in the US justice system that due process works, survivors will be believed, and justice will be served.
— Reese Witherspoon (@ReeseW) March 11, 2020
to the brave women who are survivors of harvey weinstein’s repugnant crimes — both those who were vocal publicly & those who suffered in silence. YOU -along with the journalists who covered the story, #metoo + #timesup have changed the course of future histories. THANK YOU. ♥️+🙏🏻 https://t.co/WnFa1jSG1D
— Monica Lewinsky (@MonicaLewinsky) March 11, 2020
Harvey Weinstein will be transferred to his regular prison from Riker’s Island in a matter of days.