Former movie mogul Harvey Weinstein sentenced to 16 years in LA rape case

NEWS WIRES
·1-min read
© Etienne Laurent, AP/ File picture

Harvey Weinstein was sentenced Thursday to 16 years in prison for the rape of a woman in a Beverly Hills hotel room, increasing the likelihood that the disgraced Hollywood mogul will spend the remainder of his life behind bars.

Weinstein, who is already serving a 23-year sentence for a sex crimes conviction in New York, was handed the latest sentence by a Los Angeles court over the assault of a European actress a decade ago.

Attending court in a wheelchair, the 70-year-old Oscar-winning “Shakespeare in Love” producer begged the judge for “mercy.”

“Please don’t sentence me to life in prison. I don’t deserve it. There are so many things wrong with this case,” he said.

But Judge Lisa Lench handed him three consecutive sentences totalling 16 years for forcible oral copulation, sexual penetration by a foreign object, and forcible rape.

The actress, whose identity was not revealed, had tearfully called on the judge to give Weinstein “the maximum sentence allowable,” which would have been 18 years.

“His selfish, disgusting actions have greatly impacted my life,” she said.

“There is no prison sentence long enough to undo the damage.”

Weinstein’s lawyers have said they will appeal the Los Angeles verdict, which came with his conviction by a jury in December.

Prosecutors said Weinstein exploited and abused women for years, and long enjoyed impunity because of his then-powerful position in the industry.

(AFP)


Read more on FRANCE 24 English

Read also:
Harvey Weinstein found guilty of rape in Los Angeles sexual assault trial
Harvey Weinstein sexual assault trial starts in LA with graphic allegations
California governor's wife among accusers at Weinstein sex crimes trial

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