LIVE From NYC: Weinstein’s Fate Back in Hands of the Court

NEW YORK CITY — Outside the courthouse in Lower Manhattan, media crews and spectators gathered as the retrial of former Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein officially began. The high-profile case, centered on rape and sexual assault charges, has once again drawn intense public attention.

In opening arguments delivered earlier inside the courtroom, the prosecution and defense painted sharply different portraits of Weinstein’s interactions with aspiring actresses and industry hopefuls. Prosecutors described a pattern of coercion and abuse, alleging that Weinstein used his position of power to exploit women seeking careers in entertainment.

In contrast, the defense argued that the encounters were consensual and portrayed Weinstein as a man targeted by regret and ambition. They insisted that the case relies on unreliable witnesses and flawed narratives shaped by the #MeToo movement.

Outside the court, reactions were mixed, with advocacy groups, legal experts, and curious onlookers weighing in on what could be a landmark moment in the broader conversation about power, consent, and accountability in the entertainment industry.