WASHINGTON: Prosecutors have indicated that additional alleged victims will come forward to testify against him, Variety has confirmed.
Manhattan Assistant District Attorney Nicole Blumberg revealed during a hearing on Tuesday that several women who had previously remained silent were now willing to testify against Weinstein.
According to the report obtained by Variety, Blumberg told the court that “multiple women in Manhattan have come forward to say the defendant raped them.” He described the alleged incidents as “predatory” and “trauma-informed” behavior within the timeframe in question.
The retrial comes as a result of New York’s highest court ruling in April that Weinstein’s previous conviction was flawed because it included testimony from too many women about incidents unrelated to the case.
Weinstein’s defense team, led by attorney Arthur Aidala, accused prosecutors of delaying preparations for the retrial, while also highlighting Weinstein’s health problems, which include fluid in his heart and lungs, spinal stenosis, macular degeneration and severe diabetes.
Weinstein was brought into the courtroom in a wheelchair, and is still in custody following a conviction in a separate sexual assault case in Los Angeles, for which he is serving a 16-year sentence.
His extradition to California has been rejected while he prepares to defend the new charges in New York.
Jennifer Bonjean, Weinstein’s attorney handling his appeal in California, expressed confidence despite the legal hurdles, saying there is “a lot of light at the end of the tunnel” for her client.
Variety has confirmed that the next hearing in Weinstein’s case is scheduled for July 19.
