Harvey Weinstein “Seriously Contemplating” Testifying In Trial on Rape and Sexual Charges

Harvey Weinstein‘s legal team is yet undecided about having him testify, as his court case for sexual assault and related crimes reaches its conclusion.

Arthur Aidala, Weinstein’s lawyer, informed journalists outside the courtroom on Thursday that they will be making an approximate call regarding the game plan.

During his 2020 trial in New York and his California case concerning sexual assault, Weinstein chose not to testify. Aidala explained that it’s the client’s decision whether or not to testify, and one of his associates had spent most of Memorial Day weekend preparing Weinstein for the possibility of him testifying in court.

Aidala stated that there’s a thought within him about whether people have an inherent sense of responsibility to consider the opposite perspective in situations reminiscent of a ‘he-said, she-said’ scenario.

Last week, an interview emerged where Weinstein declared his innocence to conservative podcast host Candace Owens. This is a subsequent development.

Inquired about Weinstein’s perspective on the ongoing trial, Aidala stated: “He believes that the evidence presented in this trial has been strongly contested and that several of the accusers’ narratives have been thoroughly dismantled.

Throughout the recent trial, Harvey Weinstein has been in attendance since it began with opening statements on April 23. This time around, he is being re-tried on a criminal sexual assault charge and a rape charge, stemming from allegations made by former “Project Runway” production assistant Miriam Haley, who claims that Weinstein coerced her into oral sex at his Manhattan apartment in 2006, and by aspiring actress Jessica Mann, who accuses him of raping her at a Manhattan hotel in 2013. These charges were initially presented during the 2020 trial; however, Weinstein’s conviction was overturned in April 2024.

As a passionate follower, I’m sharing the news about Harvey Weinstein being accused of another criminal sexual offense. This time, the allegation comes from Kaja Sokola, claiming he compelled her to perform oral sex in a Manhattan hotel back in 2006.

Over the past few weeks, all three women have testified, and the prosecution concluded their case on Wednesday. Following this, Weinstein’s defense started presenting their witnesses, which included a physician and pharmacist, who took the stand to discuss an erectile dysfunction medication that was mentioned in the testimonies given by the complainants as they spoke about their encounters with Weinstein.

On Thursday, the defense called Helga Rose Samuelson, who lived with Sokola in 2005, to shed light on the relationship between Weinstein and Sokola. Samuelson testified that Weinstein visited their apartment and went into a bedroom with Sokola, an account that Sokola refuted when she took the stand.

During the trial this week, the defense suggested that Owens could potentially testify, claiming she discussed with Mann whether she perceived their encounter with Weinstein as rape. In cross-examination, Aidala questioned Mann about this discussion, suggesting she didn’t view it as rape. However, this line of questioning was later dismissed from the court records, and the jury was instructed to disregard it because it lacked factual foundation.

Prior to the jury hearing the stipulation, Aidala informed Judge Curtis Farber that Weinstein inquired about whether Owens could still be summoned as a witness. Farber responded by stating he would need to be notified. However, Aidala clarified on Thursday that they did not intend to have her testify, since she had recently given birth and there was no apparent crucial information to share.

“I don’t think we’re going to disturb Ms. Owens,” Aidala said. 

Instead, the defense intends to bring forward two witnesses on Friday to challenge Mann’s credibility. Additionally, their team has summoned attorney Gloria Allred, Haley’s legal representative, with a subpoena. However, they mentioned that they have not aggressively pursued enforcing the subpoena yet.

If Weinstein does not testify, closing arguments are expected to take place Tuesday.

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2025-05-29 23:54