Harvey Weinstein to Remain in NYC Jail Pending Rape Retrial

Harvey Weinstein Remains in Custody While Awaiting Rape Retrial in New York

Harvey Weinstein will stay behind bars in New York while facing a retrial on rape and sexual assault charges, prosecutors confirmed on Monday. This comes as the former film mogul made a brief court appearance regarding California's request to extradite him.

Following the completion of the New York case, Weinstein will be transferred to California to serve his pending 16-year sentence for a separate rape conviction there.

Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz stated, "Today, defendant Harvey Weinstein was formally arraigned on a governor’s warrant issued by Governor Kathy Hochul, who exercised her authority for him to remain in New York State until his case in New York County is adjudicated. He will serve the California sentence first, as it is now his primary sentence.”

Weinstein has maintained his innocence, denying any wrongdoing. However, he was found guilty in Los Angeles in 2022, adding to his already existing 23-year sentence in New York. The Manhattan conviction from 2020 was overturned this spring by the state's highest court, which ruled that the trial judge unfairly admitted testimony based on allegations not directly related to the case.

The retrial in Manhattan is tentatively scheduled for November.

The 72-year-old Weinstein, appearing in Queens criminal court in a wheelchair, agreed with his lawyers to remain at the Rikers Island jail complex. He was recently hospitalized due to health complications, including COVID-19 and pneumonia.

The extradition proceedings are taking place in Queens, not Manhattan, due to its proximity to Rikers Island.

Manhattan prosecutors announced last month that they are pursuing new sexual assault charges against Weinstein, but haven’t provided details or a timeframe.

Weinstein's lawyer, Arthur Aidala, raised concerns about the strength of the current case, suggesting the new accusers mentioned by prosecutors could indicate a weak case.