Harvey Weinstein, 67, was sentenced today after being found guilty of rape and criminal sexual assault. The disgraced mogul was handed down a sentence of 23 years, closing a chapter and delivering justice for the victims of his crimes. Many reactions on social media harkened the feeling that “23 is not enough.” In reality, it is highly unlikely that Weinstein will outlive his sentence, given his health issues.
Statements Post-Sentencing
Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance,
“We thank the court for imposing a sentence that puts sexual predators and abusive partners in all segments of society on notice,” Vance said in a statement to ET. “We thank the survivors for their remarkable statements today and indescribable courage over the last two years. Harvey Weinstein deployed nothing less than an army of spies to keep them silent. But they refused to be silent, and they were heard. Their words took down a predator and put him behind bars, and gave hope to survivors of sexual violence all across the world.”
Harvey Weinstein’s representative,
“This was a miscarriage of justice from the beginning of the process until now. His sentence doesn’t commensurate with the conviction and we believe on appeal, the court’s prejudice and the Prosecution’s looseness with evidence and procedures, along with the extreme biases that faced Mr. Weinstein before he walked into the courtroom, the evidence will show that this case had no merit.”
Though the trial in New York is over, Weinstein will have to face another trial on the other coast, in Los Angeles, California for additional allegations of rape and sexual misconduct related to two incidents that occurred in 2013. If convicted in those cases, he could face an addition sentence of 28 years.