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Harvey Weinstein’s 2020 Rape Conviction Overturned By NY Appeals Court

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8 months ago

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Harvey Weinstein Sentenced to an Additional 16 Years in Prison

New York – The highest court in New York overturned Harvey Weinstein’s rape conviction in 2020. This decision reversed a significant ruling from the #MeToo era, as it found that the trial judge had made an error by allowing women to testify regarding charges against Weinstein that were not relevant to the case.

Weinstein, aged 72, will continue to be incarcerated as he was found guilty of a further rape in Los Angeles in 2022. However, the recent verdict in New York brings back a distressing period in America’s confrontation with sexual misbehavior committed by influential individuals. This era commenced in 2017 when numerous accusations against Weinstein emerged.

The Manhattan district attorney’s office indicated its determination to pursue a new trial for Weinstein, perhaps requiring his accusers to once again recount their experiences under oath.

In a 4-3 judgment, the California Court of Appeals reversed Weinstein’s 23-year sentence, stating that the trial court made a mistake by allowing testimony about uncharged, alleged previous sexual actions involving individuals other than the victims of the offenses in question. The majority of the court deemed this as a “misuse of judicial discretion.”

Judge Madeline Singas expressed strong disapproval in her dissent, stating that the Court of Appeals was persisting in a troubling pattern of reversing juries’ guilty verdicts in cases related to sexual violence.

Weinstein has been incarcerated in a New York correctional facility following his conviction for engaging in non-consensual oral sex with a TV and film production assistant in 2006 and for committing third-degree rape against an aspiring actress in 2013. In the Los Angeles case, he received a 16-year prison sentence.

Arthur Aidala, the lawyer representing Weinstein, described the verdict by the Court of Appeals as a significant triumph for all individuals accused of crimes in New York state.

The office of the Manhattan district attorney expressed its commitment to make every effort to retry this case.

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Harvey Weinstein’s 2020 Rape Conviction Overturned By NY Appeals Court

Lawyer Douglas H. Wigdor, who has legally represented eight individuals accusing Harvey Weinstein, including two witnesses in the New York criminal prosecution, described the ruling as “a significant regression in ensuring that those responsible for acts of sexual violence are held accountable.”

“Courts frequently allow the introduction of evidence regarding additional acts that the defendant has not been charged with, if it helps the jury to comprehend matters related to the defendant’s intention, method of operation, or overall plan.” Wigdor stated that overturning the verdict would be unfortunate because it would necessitate the victims to go through another trial, after the jury was informed of the importance of this testimony.

Debra Katz, a well-known lawyer specializing in civil rights and #MeToo cases, who advocated for multiple accusations of Weinstein, expressed that her clients are deeply devastated by the decision. However, she firmly believed and assured them that their testimonies had a profound impact on society.

“Individuals persist in stepping forward, individuals persist in providing assistance to other victims who have reported instances of sexual assault and violence, and I firmly believe that there is no possibility of reverting from this progress,” Katz stated, foreseeing Weinstein’s conviction at a subsequent trial.

She stated that the women derive immense solace from the fact that Weinstein will continue to be incarcerated.

The overturning of Weinstein’s conviction is the second significant setback for the #MeToo movement in the past two years, following the U.S. Supreme Court’s rejection of an appeal to reinstate Bill Cosby’s conviction for sexual assault, as ruled by a Pennsylvania court.

Weinstein’s conviction endured for almost four years, celebrated by activists and advocates as a significant accomplishment, but promptly scrutinized by his lawyers and, subsequently, by the Court of Appeals during the February hearings.

The accusations against Weinstein, the formerly influential and intimidating studio executive responsible for acclaimed films like “Pulp Fiction” and “Shakespeare in Love,” marked the beginning of the #MeToo movement. A multitude of women, including renowned actresses like Ashley Judd and Uma Thurman, stepped forward to accuse Weinstein. The New York trial he was involved in garnered significant media attention, with demonstrators outside the courthouse vocally accusing him of being a rapist.

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Harvey Weinstein’s 2020 Rape Conviction Overturned By NY Appeals Court

Weinstein is currently imprisoned at the Mohawk Correctional Facility in New York, which is located around 100 miles (160 kilometers) northwest of Albany.

He asserts his innocence. He asserts that all sexual activity was consenting.

Aidala contended during the February appeals court hearing that Burke influenced the trial by permitting three women to provide testimony regarding charges that were not relevant to the case and by granting prosecutors the authority to question Weinstein, had he chosen to testify, about his extensive record of aggressive conduct.

Aidala contended that the additional testimony exceeded the usual permissible scope of providing information about purpose, opportunity, intent, or a common scheme or plan. Furthermore, it effectively subjected Weinstein to a trial for offenses for which he was not formally accused.

Weinstein expressed a desire to provide testimony but ultimately decided against it due to Burke’s judgment, which would have required him to answer inquiries regarding over twenty-four reported instances of misconduct spanning a period of forty years. His behavior encompassed engaging in physical altercations with his brother, forcefully overturning a table out of fury, berating waitstaff, and shouting at his subordinates.

An attorney representing the Manhattan district attorney’s office, responsible for prosecuting the case, contended that the judge’s decisions were appropriate and that the additional evidence and testimony he permitted were crucial in offering jurors a comprehensive understanding of Weinstein’s conduct and his interactions with women.

According to Appellate Chief Steven Wu, Weinstein’s acquittal on the charges of predatory sexual assault and first-degree rape, specifically related to actor Annabella Sciorra’s allegations of rape in the mid-1990s, indicates that the jurors were attentive and not confused or overwhelmed by the additional testimony.Typically, the Associated Press does not reveal the identities of individuals who claim to be victims of sexual assault unless they give their permission to be named. However, Sciorra has chosen to discuss her allegations publicly.

AP – VOR News Image

Harvey Weinstein’s 2020 Rape Conviction Overturned By NY Appeals Court

Last year, the Court of Appeals agreed to review Weinstein’s case following a decision by an intermediate appeals court to uphold his conviction.

Before rendering their decision, judges on the lower appellate court had expressed skepticism regarding Burke’s behavior during oral arguments. It was noted that Burke allowed prosecutors to present “highly biased testimony” from extra witnesses.

Burke’s tenure concluded at the conclusion of 2022. He was not renewed in his position and has ceased to hold the role of a judge.

Weinstein’s lawyers filed an appeal specifically requesting a fresh trial just for the charge of criminal sexual act. They contended that the rape case could not be subjected to a new trial due to the alleged behavior falling beyond the legal time limit.

SOURCE – (AP)

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Kiara Grace is a staff writer at VORNews, a reputable online publication. Her writing focuses on technology trends, particularly in the realm of consumer electronics and software. With a keen eye for detail and a knack for breaking down complex topics. Kiara delivers insightful analyses that resonate with tech enthusiasts and casual readers alike. Her articles strike a balance between in-depth coverage and accessibility, making them a go-to resource for anyone seeking to stay informed about the latest innovations shaping our digital world.

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Megan Fox Says She’s Done with Machine Gun Kelly

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3 days ago

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2024-12-18

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Megan Fox says she's is focusing on herself and her family.

Pregnant Megan Fox, despite her pregnancy with Machine Gun Kelly’s child, claims she will never live with the singer again. She stated that she would like things to remain platonic between the two.

Megan announced her pregnancy on November 12, only days before the couple divorced over Thanksgiving. She already has three children, Noah, 11, Bodhi, 9, and Journey, 7, with her ex-husband Brian Austin Green.

Megan Fox and Kelly have a long history of on-and-off dating, and suspicion immediately circulated that their current breakup was temporary.

However, a source close to Fox said that she is ready to break the cycle as she prepares to give birth to her next child.

According to a source for Us Weekly, Megan Fox is currently focusing on herself and her family. “She’s been working a lot this year, so she’s looking forward to spending time with her kids.”

Showing that she is serious about ending her chapter with Machine Gun Kelly, the insider revealed that the two “haven’t been in contact this last week,” further demonstrating that “things are not looking great between them right now.”

“She hopes that with them taking time apart right now, they will be able to have a healthy co-parenting relationship,” the insider said of Fox’s “table environment” for her baby.

Despite their no-contact condition, the source stated that Fox was “trying to focus on being positive” and looked forward to co-parenting with her ex. “No matter how she feels about MGK, she has a lot of love for him and is excited that they are going to become parents,” they told me.

“MGK is really letting Megan lead the way right now and is giving her space.”

Megan, who has stated that she believes she helped shape the rapper-turned-rocker into the person he is, has been relying on her ex-husband’s fiancée, Sharna Burgess, as she navigates the difficult breakup.

‘Sharna understands how tough it is to be pregnant and has been supporting Megan,’ a source told DailyMail.com last week.

‘She truly cares and feels for her. Breakups are terrible enough on their own, but being pregnant makes them worse.

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Megan Fox Talks About Baby No. 4 and Family

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Gypsy Rose Claims Ex Got Aroused Over Mom’s Murder

Published

3 days ago

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2024-12-18

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Gypsy Rose Blanchard Says Her Ex Had "Murder Fantasies" and Found them "Arousing"

The tragic story of Gypsy Rose Blanchard continues to unearth chilling details, even years after the 2015 murder of her mother, Dee Dee Blanchard. Her tell-all book My Time To Stand offers a series of unsettling recollections.

In a recent surprising disclosure, Gipsy accused her former boyfriend, Nicholas Godejohn, of becoming “aroused” by dreams about her mother’s murder. This claim sheds a darker light on a case already fraught with troubling issues about deception, abuse, and twisted connections.

Gipsy Rose rose to prominence after the murder of her mother, Dee Dee Blanchard. Dee Dee suffered from Munchausen syndrome by proxy, a disorder in which a carer fabricates or causes illness in someone in their care.

For years, Dee Dee persuaded doctors, neighbours, and the general public that Gipsy was seriously ill, limiting her to wheelchairs and unnecessary medical procedures.

Behind closed doors, Dee Dee had complete control over Gypsy’s life, including her meals, social activities, and thoughts. Her physical and psychological abuse produced a toxic atmosphere from which Gipsy desperately sought to escape.

Planning the Murder

Gipsy and her then-boyfriend, Nicholas Godejohn, planned to murder Dee Dee. Godejohn carried out the murder by stabbing Dee Dee while she was sleeping. Gipsy and Godejohn were both captured shortly after the incident.

Gipsy pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and received a 10-year jail sentence, while Godejohn received a life sentence for first-degree murder.

In a recent interview and previous publications, Gipsy Rose claimed Godejohn found the murder “arousing.” Gipsy claims Godejohn has a history of violent fantasies and an obsession with manipulating women.

These traits could have influenced his involvement in the crime.

Gypsy’s assertions paint Godejohn as a manipulator who exploited her vulnerability for his gain. She characterized him as ready to carry out the plan, not because he loved or supported her predicament but because it appealed to his dark desires.

The Abuse of Gypsy Rose

Their internet relationship, which began innocently, quickly evolved into something evil. Godejohn’s aggressive inclinations, combined with Gypsy’s desperate need to escape Dee Dee’s abuse, formed a dangerous situation.

In it, she described meeting Godejohn on a Christian dating service in 2012 and how the two developed an explicit relationship. Gipsy Rose wrote on how swiftly Nick supposedly exposed her to a world of “sexually perverse things,” recalling.

She described alarming moments in which he would “threaten” to take his love away from her if she did not perform what he wanted sexually.

Things climaxed when they met and discussed the prospect of living together in Nick’s home state, Wisconsin. Soon after, Gipsy recounted in her memoir, the young couple considered killing Dee Dee to stay together.

Gipsy Rose described them as “gradual,” having been “baked into an elaborate fantasy world” starring Victor and other Nick-created characters. Even creepier was her claim that he “got sexually aroused” when discussing rape and murder.

The latest claims against Godejohn have sparked renewed public interest in the case. Some interpret Gypsy’s words as an attempt to disassociate herself from the crime, while others see them as a legitimate insight into Godejohn’s character.

Whatever your point of view, it’s evident that this isn’t a simple story. The complicated relationships between Gipsy Rose, Dee Dee, and Godejohn continue to intrigue and horrify people following the case.

Nick is serving the remainder of his life in jail, while Gipsy Rose continues to market her memoir as she prepares to give birth to her first child.

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Gipsy Rose Blanchard Opens Up Over Mother Murder

Published

1 week ago

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2024-12-12

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Gypsy Rose is believed to be a victim of Munchausen syndrome by proxy

Gipsy Rose Blanchard has spoken out about her involvement in her mother’s murder in 2015 by her then-boyfriend, Nicholas Godejohn. Godejohn. Gipsy reflects on the trauma she experienced and how it influenced her decisions.

Godejohn received a life sentence without parole plus an additional 25 years for armed criminal action. Gypsy Rose released from prison after serving time for mom’s murder. She received a 10-year sentence after pleading guilty to second-degree murder.

Gipsy Rose, a victim of years of torture linked to Munchausen syndrome by proxy, admitted working with her then-boyfriend, Nicholas Godejohn, to organize Dee Dee’s murder.

According to the now-33-year-old, the “final straw” came a month before the murder, when her mother “tried to cut” her neck after her voice grew “high-pitched.”

She described appealing to her mother, saying that there was nothing wrong with her voice, but Dee Dee nevertheless took her to a pulmonologist, who advised “exploratory surgery of her larynx.”

Gypsy Rose Muzzled

Gipsy Rose had already tried to flee twice and shot her mother with a “BB gun” after Dee Dee allegedly “chained” her to the bed, stating she was becoming “harder to control” as she aged.

Gipsy Rose called the suggested voice box operation “completely unnecessary” and claimed it made her “truly” worry about the “scope of [her mom’s] malice.”

Gipsy said that her mother would “muzzle” her mouth at night with a CPAP machine “for my fake sleep apnoea” and use Orajel to “numb” her mouth, causing her to “drool and slur.”

She also blamed Dee Dee for her teeth falling out, which she explained as a “side effect of superfluous medications.”

“By speaking for me and scripting every interaction, she prevented me from discovering my voice. In my opinion, my literal voice, no matter how squeaky it was, could be taken away. She wrote, “Her final play.”

Dee Dee successfully persuaded multiple doctors that her daughter had a variety of medical issues, including asthma, cancer, Down syndrome, epilepsy, and more.

Second-degree murder

Gipsy revealed that her mother even went so far as to shave her head, saying, “It’s going to fall out anyway, so let’s just keep it nice and neat.”

In terms of how Dee Dee deceived so many doctors, it is believed that the drugs she gave Gipsy “induced many of the symptoms of diseases [that] doctors thought they were treating.”

Over nine years, Dee Dee admitted Gipsy to the hospital more than 100 times, citing various fictitious medical ailments.

Gipsy pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in 2016 after her mother, Dee Dee, died. She was sentenced to ten years and will be freed on parole on December 28, 2023, after serving 85 percent of her sentence.

Her then-boyfriend, Godejohn, who carried out the fatal stabbing in 2015 at Gypsy’s request, was sentenced to life in jail with no chance of release.

During her trial, Gipsy claimed that the reason she conspired to kill her mother was the years of abuse she had undergone, which left her feeling as if murder was her only option. She described how Dee Dee pushed her to use a wheelchair and endure numerous unneeded medical exams and treatments.

Her mother also exploited Gypsy Rose by portraying her as a terminally ill and crippled kid to garner sympathy and charitable donations from organizations such as Make-A-Wish and The Walt Disney Company, all while maintaining complete control over Gypsy’s life.

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Gypsy Rose Talks Parenting Plans After Announcing Pregnancy

 

 

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