Devendra Kumar
Harvey Weinstein’s lawyer, Arthur Aidala, revealed that the former movie mogul has been hospitalized for tests after being transferred to New York City following an appeals court ruling that nullified his 2020 rape conviction. Weinstein, 72 years old, has been experiencing a range of health issues, including cardiac problems, diabetes, sleep apnoea, and eye troubles. Aidala described his client as a “train wreck health-wise,” stating that he is scheduled to undergo a range of tests at Bellevue Hospital.
The New York Court of Appeals vacated Weinstein’s conviction on Thursday, citing that a trial judge allowed jurors to see and hear evidence not directly related to the charges he faced. The appeals court also erased Weinstein’s 23-year prison sentence and ordered a retrial. Prosecutors plan to retry him on charges of forcibly performing oral sex on a TV and film production assistant in 2006 and raping an aspiring actor in 2013. Weinstein remains in custody, as he was convicted in Los Angeles in 2022 of another rape and was sentenced to 16 years in prison.
Aidala described Weinstein’s mental state as “sharp as a tack,” adding that he is “mentally intact” despite his physical ailments. However, the lawyer expressed concern for his client’s well-being, citing his advanced age and poor health. He claimed that Weinstein was not given basic necessities such as food, water, or a bathroom break during his transfer to New York City.
Weinstein is scheduled to appear in court on Wednesday, and Aidala plans to petition for a retrial to occur after Labor Day. The lawyer said he intends to inform the judge of Weinstein’s health issues and request a delay in the proceedings. The outcome of Weinstein’s case remains uncertain, as he faces the possibility of yet another trial in the coming months.
Aidala is likely to argue that Weinstein is not fit to stand trial, given his advanced age and fragile state of health. If authorized to proceed, the retrial will likely be a tense and dramatic affair, with both sides presented with a unique set of circumstances that could significantly impact the outcome. The legal battle’s latest twist is Weinstein’s health concerns, which may ultimately determine the course of his case.