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Harvey Weinstein Moved to Hospital Amid Retrial Proceedings
NEW YORK — Disgraced movie mogul Harvey Weinstein has been transferred to a New York City hospital after a judge granted the former studio executive’s request to be hospitalized instead of remaining in jail when not present for his ongoing #MeToo retrial.
Judge Orders Weinstein’s Hospitalization
Judge Paul Goetz issued an order late Thursday mandating Weinstein’s immediate relocation from the Rikers Island correctional facility to the Bellevue Hospital prison ward in Manhattan. This transfer will enable Weinstein to receive essential medical care, as determined by the court.
Defense Cites Health Concerns
Weinstein’s legal team advocated for the change in custody as jury selection commenced this week for the sexual assault retrial.
In court documents, defense attorneys contended that incarceration in a sometimes frigid jail cell was worsening the health conditions of the convicted sex offender. These conditions reportedly include chronic myeloid leukemia, diabetes, and mobility issues that necessitate the use of a wheelchair for transportation to and from court proceedings.
Hospital Stay Duration and Further Hearing
Judge Goetz stipulated that the order for hospitalization will remain in effect until at least next Thursday. A subsequent hearing is scheduled for that date to further discuss medical treatment arrangements for Weinstein.
Retrial Jury Selection Continues
Judge Curtis Farber is presiding over Weinstein’s retrial. The case is set to resume on Monday with continued jury selection, following the selection of nine jurors this week. The objective is to seat a full jury of 12 members, along with six alternates.
Weinstein’s Conviction Overturned, Leading to Retrial
Weinstein is facing a second trial on charges of rape and sexual assault after New York’s highest court, the Court of Appeals, vacated his 2020 conviction and 23-year prison sentence last year. The court cited improper rulings and prejudicial testimony as factors that tainted the original trial, thereby necessitating a new legal proceeding.
Weinstein has entered a plea of not guilty to all charges and denies all allegations of rape and sexual assault.
Frequent Bellevue Hospital Visits
In recent months, Weinstein has been frequently transported to Bellevue for medical intervention for a range of ailments. During a pretrial hearing in January, he voiced strong objections to his treatment at Rikers, expressing to Judge Farber his desire to “get out of this hellhole as quickly as possible.”
Legal Claim Regarding Rikers Conditions
Weinstein’s lawyers initiated legal action against New York City in November, alleging that he was receiving inadequate medical attention and was subjected to unsanitary conditions at Rikers Island. The legal claim, seeking $5 million in damages, asserts that Weinstein has been prematurely returned to Rikers before achieving full recovery at the hospital.
Scrutiny of Rikers Island Jail
The troubled Rikers Island jail complex has been increasingly subject to intense examination regarding its mistreatment of detainees and hazardous environment. In the previous year, a federal judge paved the way for a potential federal intervention, concluding that the city had exposed inmates to “unconstitutional danger.”