Harvey Weinstein taken to hospital after being moved to a New York jail

The lawyer for Harvey Weinstein says the previous movie producer has been taken to hospital after being moved to a New York jail.

It comes days after the film mogul’s 2020 conviction for rape was overturned, with a New York courtroom ordering a brand new trial within the landmark “MeToo” case.

Arthur Aidala, Weinstein’s lawyer, mentioned his consumer was moved to Bellevue Hospital in Manhattan for assessments after his arrival on Friday at a New York City jail.

“They examined him and sent him to Bellevue. It seems like he needs a lot of help, physically. He’s got a lot of problems. He’s getting all kinds of tests. He’s somewhat of a train wreck health-wise,” Mr Aidala mentioned.

The hospital didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark.

Mr Aidala mentioned he’s nonetheless “sharp as a tack” mentally, and his well being issues are bodily.

Weinstein has had cardiac points, diabetes, sleep apnea and eye issues for a while.

He was moved on Friday to the Rikers Island jail complicated, in The Bronx’s East River, from the Mohawk Correctional Facility, in Oneida County, upstate New York, the place he had been since 2023.

“He was not treated well. They refused to give him even a sip of water, no food, no bathroom break,” mentioned Mr Aidala.

“He’s a 72-year-old sickly man.”

Frank Dwyer, a spokesperson with the New York City Department of Correction, mentioned Weinstein stays in custody at Bellevue Hospital.

The disgraced producer has been in jail since 2020 and on Thursday, the New York Court of Appeals overturned his first rape conviction.

He has been serving a 23-year sentence after being accused of sexually assaulting ex-production assistant Mimi Haley in 2006 and raping former aspiring actress Jessica Mann in 2013 following the landmark 2020 trial in New York.

The state’s highest courtroom discovered the choose on the trial prejudiced Weinstein with “egregious” improper rulings, together with a choice to let girls testify about allegations that weren’t a part of the case.

Read extra: Harvey Weinstein: The fall of the king of Hollywood

In a 4-3 choice, the courtroom’s majority mentioned it was “an abuse of judicial discretion to permit untested allegations of nothing more than bad behaviour”.

Mr Aidala mentioned the choice was a victory for the defendant and any American charged with a criminal offense, “no matter how popular or unpopular they are”.

“You can’t convict someone based on their entire life,” he mentioned.

“You can’t allow more witnesses to testify against the defendant than the defendant is actually charged with.”

“You can’t throw out a hundred years of legal precedent because someone is unpopular.”

Weinstein stays in jail regardless of the latest ruling as a result of he was convicted in Los Angeles in 2022 of one other rape, in opposition to which he’s additionally interesting. He was sentenced to 16 years in jail for that crime.

Manhattan district lawyer Alvin Bragg – who’s already concerned in a hush cash trial in opposition to former president Donald Trump – will now determine whether or not Weinstein will face a retrial for his 2020 conviction.

A spokesperson for Mr Bragg mentioned in an electronic mail: “We will do everything in our power to retry this case, and remain steadfast in our commitment to survivors of sexual assault.”

Weinstein is scheduled to look in Manhattan Criminal Court at 2.15pm (native time) on Wednesday in a listening to that may set a timetable for future appearances, assuming the retrial goes forward.

Deborah Tuerkheimer, a professor at Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law and former assistant district lawyer in Manhattan, mentioned whether or not there’s a second trial will “hinge on the preferences of the women who would have to testify again and endure the ordeal of a retrial.”

“I think ultimately this will come down to whether they feel it’s something they want to do, are able to do,” she mentioned.

Once thought-about probably the most highly effective man in Hollywood, Weinstein was accused by dozens of girls who claimed he bullied, pressured, coerced, or overpowered them whereas demanding sexual favours.

Gwyneth Paltrow, Salma Hayek, and Lupita Nyong’o all accused Weinstein of sexual harassment, whereas actresses Asia Argento and Rose McGowan had been amongst others who accused him of raping them.

He was additionally accused of reaching settlements to maintain the tales quiet.

Weinstein had admitted his behaviour had “caused a lot of pain”, however has maintained his innocence all through, saying any sexual exercise was consensual.