Harvey Weinstein was found guilty in the Los Angeles rape trial. Image Source: Sky News 

Harvey Weinstein was found guilty in the Los Angeles rape trial.

After a weeks-long trial with 80 witness testimony, jurors found former film producer Harvey Weinstein liable for sexual assault and rape in Los Angeles on Monday.

After a ten-day jury deliberation, the Los Angeles District Attorney's Office officially confirmed in a press statement that Harvey Weinstein was found accused of violent rape, forced oral sex, and sexual conduct by foreign material.

From 2004 to 2013, Harvey Weinstein was prosecuted in Los Angeles County on two rape charges and five counts of sexual abuse. Following a scathing 2017, New York Times exposé and dozens of accusations made span the entire more than 40 years, a Manhattan jury conviction and sentence the producer to 23 years in prison for multiple sexual offenses in March 2020. The case is currently being appealed in New York.

In Jane Doe 1, Harvey Weinstein was found guilty of forced sexual penetration and forced rape. During an interview with The New York Times, she explained that he bullied his way into her hotel suite. In the case of Jane Doe 3, he was found not liable for an indecent assault by restraint. The jury was deadlocked on the sexual battery charge based on Jane Doe 2 (Lauren Young) because two jurors refused to cast votes to convict Harvey. The jury also failed to arrive at a verdict on the various charges stemming from Jane Doe 4, who has now been identified as Jennifer Siebel Newsom, the wife of California Gov. Gavin Newsom. Jane Doe 4 alleged Harvey of forcible sexual penetration and aggravated battery, and Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Lisa Lench declared a mistrial after the jury was deadlocked.

Jennifer Siebel Newsom testified against Harvey Weinstein. Image Source: CNN

Jennifer Siebel Newsom stated that the shamed producer will never be able to rape another woman again and that he will splurge the rest of his life in prison, where he belongs. She claimed that Harvey Weinstein is a sex molester who raped her. Her lawyer, Beth Fegan, told ABC News, like numerous other women, her client was sexually abused by Harvey Weinstein at a phony work meeting that turned out to be a trap. She plans to give testimony at his trial to pursue justice for people who survived and as an aspect of her life's efforts to enhance women's lives. Please respect her decision not to debate this matter from outside court.

Jennifer Siebel Newsom told the jury in mid-November, telling the jury and Judge Lisa Lench that the alleged assault happened 17 years ago at the Peninsula Hotel in Beverly Hills when she was a relatively unknown actress and filmmaker. She stated that she could tell he just wanted it; he was certain, and it was a very frightening situation for her, adding that it was all about him, his pure delight, and his need for accomplishment, so she did it to get it over with. Jennifer Siebel Newsom, now married to California Gov. Gavin Newsom, went on to say that she started moaning to get him to orgasm quicker after he pushed his peculiar and screwed-up penis within her.

On December 1, defense attorney Alan Jackson focused on Siebel Newsom's testimony, calling it a cinematic, overly exaggerated performance for the court. Jane Doe 4 is unable to reconcile the fact that she is an impactful, well-educated, refined, well-bred woman who had sexual relations with Harvey Weinstein in exchange for an opportunity possible and creates a connection, saying that he does not understand how to say it more softly than this but that fury does not end up making fact and tears do not make truth.

Harvey Weinstein's attorney called Jennifer Siebel Newsom's testimony calling it a cinematic, overly exaggerated performance for the court. Image Source: Fox News 

Jennifer Siebel Newsom stated today that Harvey Weinstein's lawyer used gender inequality, misogynist, and intimidation tactics throughout the trial to demoralize, dehumanize, and mock survivors, and that this trial was a vivid reminder that individuals within our society have work to do. She stated that she sees, hears, and stands with all of the survivors out there. California's governor had something to say about it. He expressed his admiration for his wife and all the incredibly brave women who came through to recount their experiences and help innumerable surviving members who were unable to. Gavin incorporated that their strength of character, force, and faith are a source of inspiration to all and that people must continue fighting to ensure that survivors are truly cared for and that their voices are acknowledged.

If found guilty in the Los Angeles case, Harvey Weinstein, who was accused of committing a crime in the summer of 2021, faced 140 years in prison. The original 11 sexual assault charges, which mostly likely originated from indictments by grand juries last year, were reduced on November 15 when the four counts connected to Jane Doe #5 were dropped. On October 24, the judicial charges in Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Lench's courthouse began with testimony from eight women who claimed Weinstein repeatedly raped them, including Siebel Newsom and three other Jane Does. The case was officially assigned to the jury for deliberation on December 2.

Harvey Weinstein was found guilty in the Los Angeles rape trial. Image Source: People 

D.A. George Gascón praised the alleged victims for their bravery in a news release. He said during a media briefing that he would like to thank the survivors in this case for their exceptional heroism in a case that thrust them into the national spotlight. He noted that it is never easy to report sexual abuse. Cross-examination, which can be brutal at times, can be traumatizing and incredibly painful and he is astounded by their bravery and mentioned lastly that they are entitled to better than what the system has to offer. Harvey Weinstein is scheduled to be sentenced in the Los Angeles case early next year but he will be required to complete his current prison sentence before he is transferred to California.

If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, please contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or go to rainn.org.