Harvey Weinstein Begs for Mercy as Los Angeles Judge Sentences Him to 16 Years in Prison
Infamous Hollywood film producer and convicted sexual abuser Harvey Weinstein has been convicted of sexual assault again in Los Angeles. This time, he is getting an additional 16 years in prison for attacking an actress in a hotel room during a film festival in February 2013.
The sentencing came on the same day that a federal court in Chicago sentenced disgraced Grammy-winning singer R. Kelly to another 20 years in prison due to child pornography.
However, Weinstein was sentenced for sexually assaulting adult actresses who are aspiring to make it big in the cut-throat film industry. As the judge handed him his sentence, though, the man once regarded as one of the most powerful figures in Hollywood begged for mercy.
According to the BBC, Weinstein told Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Lisa Lench, "Please don't sentence me to life in prison." The former Hollywood mogul reportedly told the court he did not deserve it and was the victim of a "set-up,"
Weinstein reportedly maintained his innocence during the sentencing hearing and stated he never raped or sexually assaulted the victim, known to the court as "Jane Doe 1." He also claimed that there were so many things wrong" with the case and too many "loopholes."
Harvey Weinstein Blamed His Accuser as He Made His Final Plea
The former film producer was adamant as he tried to make his case to the judge that he should not go to prison. He claimed that he never even knew her and pointed out that she never knew anything about him. Weinstein then claimed this was about coming after him for his money.
READ NEXT: R. Kelly Prison Sentence Compared to Ghislaine Maxwell's Jail Time: Twiterverse Slams Disparity
The former head of the Weinstein Company then stated that his accuser perjured herself as he addressed the court before adding, "This is a made-up story. With all due respect, Jane Doe 1 is an actress and can turn on the tears."
According to Variety, back in December, the movie mogul was found guilty on three counts of rape and sexual assault by a Los Angeles jury. Prior to this, he was sentenced to serve 23 years in prison for his infamous New York rape and sexual assault case in 2020.
Much like this latest case, Weinstein also maintained that he was innocent of the New York case.
The Los Angeles Trial of Harvey Weinstein
Several Weinstein accusers, including a model, a dancer, a massage therapist, and Siebel Newsom. The wife of California Gov. Gavin Newsom all testified during the Los Angeles trial. All of them recounted the details of their allegations against him.
While Newsom was the biggest name to testify in the trial, the one at the center of it all was Jane Doe 1. She stated that the Hollywood producer came to her hotel room and tried to rape her. "I wanted to die. It was disgusting. It was humiliating, miserable. I didn't fight," she said in her testimony.
CNN reported that the attorney representing Siebel Newsom and Ashley Matthau, one of the women who testified in the LA trial, praised the sentence. She added. "Their testimony gave them the power to reclaim their voices, both for themselves and on behalf of the many other women who were abused by Harvey Weinstein."
READ MORE: R. Kelly Remains on Suicide Watch in Prison | Here's Why
This article is owned by Latin Post.
Written by: Rick Martin
WATCH: Harvey Weinstein sentenced to 16 years for LA rape, sexual assault - ABC-7
Subscribe to Latin Post!
Sign up for our free newsletter for the Latest coverage!