Former movie mogul Harvey Weinstein has been hospitalized in New York City for a battery of tests after being transferred from an upstate jail following an appeals court ruling that nullified his 2020 rape conviction. His lawyer, Arthur Aidala, said that Weinstein was taken to Bellevue Hospital after arriving in the city on Friday. Aidala described Weinstein as needing a lot of physical help, as he is dealing with various health issues. A spokesperson for the Department of Corrections confirmed that Weinstein remains in custody at Bellevue.
The New York Court of Appeals vacated Weinstein’s conviction on Thursday, citing that jurors were exposed to evidence unrelated to the charges he faced. The court also overturned his 23-year prison sentence and ordered a retrial. Prosecutors have stated their intention to retry Weinstein on charges of forcible oral sex and rape. Despite the ruling, Weinstein remains in custody due to a separate rape conviction in Los Angeles in 2022, where he was sentenced to 16 years in prison. Weinstein has been struggling with numerous health problems, including cardiac issues, diabetes, sleep apnea, and eye conditions.
Aidala spoke to Weinstein shortly after his transfer to New York City and noted that his client’s mental faculties were still sharp. He said Weinstein experienced mistreatment during the transit, including a lack of water, food, and bathroom breaks. Aidala criticized the handling of Weinstein, emphasizing his health vulnerabilities as a 72-year-old man dealing with various ailments. Weinstein is expected to undergo extensive testing at Bellevue Hospital before being returned to the Rikers Island jail complex.
The lawyer plans to meet with Weinstein on Monday and advocate for a retrial to take place after Labor Day. Aidala expressed his concerns about the treatment Weinstein received during his transfer and emphasized the need for proper medical care given his health issues. The timeline for his return to Rikers Island will depend on the results of the tests conducted at Bellevue. Despite his physical challenges, Weinstein’s lawyer emphasized his client’s mental acuity and determination to pursue legal proceedings in his case.
