Last month disgraced film producer Harvey Weinstein was found guilty on two counts in a landmark sexual assault trial.
Now the 67-year old has been sentenced to 23 years in prison for his convictions of sexual assault and rape in the third degree. The ruling is just two years less than the maximum sentence.
Harvey Weinstein has been sentenced to 23 years in prison for his convictions in the landmark sexual assault case which prompted the #MeToo movement.
Addressing the court for the first time (he opted not to testify in the trial), Weinstein described his “deep remorse” for his crimes, but also commented that the events had left him and other men “totally confused”.
Weinstein’s lawyers appealed for leniency in the sentencing, arguing that given Weinstein’s age, even the minimum of five years could be a life sentence.
Yet citing a “lifetime of abuse” towards women and “lack of remorse”, prosecutors argued for the maximum possible sentence.
People around the world are beginning to react to the conviction. Describing the ruling, Below Zero actress Kristin Booth stated: “Today history was made”.
Today history was made.
Harvey Weinstein sentenced to 23 years in prison.
This would not have happened if it weren’t for all the courageous women that risked everything to come forward and speak their truth. Thank… https://t.co/NUtzcTjEF3— Kristin Booth (@kristintbooth) March 11, 2020
Original whistleblower and New Yorker journalist Ronan Farrow described how the conviction shows the “power of people who speak up”:
The Weinstein sentence reminds us of the importance of those sources and of leaders at news organizations who refused to kill the story—including the editors at the New Yorker who published the first allegations of rape and assault about Weinstein.
— Ronan Farrow (@RonanFarrow) March 11, 2020
Elsewhere, Mira Sorvino, one of the first people to go on record accusing Weinstein of harassment, also weighed in on the sentencing:
23 years. Harvey Weinstein has been sentenced to 23 years in prison for his crimes of rape and sexual assault. I literally cried tears of amazement, gratitude that the justice system has worked on behalf of all of his victims today.
— Mira Sorvino (@MiraSorvino) March 11, 2020
Others like John Cusack, Patricia Arquette, and Jameela Jamil also celebrated the ruling:
Wow- I hope our sisters – who showed so much courage feel a bit of justice /vindication – knowing a rich powerful man hasn’t rigged & beaten system @VibeRogerClarke: Court Sentences Harvey Weinstein To 23 Years In Prisonhttps://t.co/NAJfUc6SqJ pic.twitter.com/R1Ox3ZwjQ5”
— John Cusack (@johncusack) March 11, 2020
Thank you @RoArquette @rosemcgowan @MiraSorvino and all the Whistleblowers in the Weinstein case who put their careers and reputations at risk to help clear the way to know the horrible acts Harvey has done. Thank you to all the brave victims. @RonanFarrow
— Patricia Arquette (@PattyArquette) March 11, 2020
Harvey Weinstein sentenced to 23 years in jail! Congratulations to the incredible women who took this monster on, in spite of how maliciously he retaliated. You have made a huge leap forward for all women with this victory. Also so much love to @RonanFarrow ❤️
— Jameela Jamil 🌈 (@jameelajamil) March 11, 2020
