According to reports from NBC New York and Fox News, a New York jury has found Harvey Weinstein guilty of first-degree criminal sexual act involving Miriam Haley in his sex crimes retrial, while acquitting him on a second charge related to Kaja Sokola, with deliberations continuing on a third-degree rape charge involving Jessica Mann.
The Weinstein verdict represents another significant milestone for the #MeToo movement, which gained momentum in 2017 when multiple Hollywood actresses came forward with allegations against the former film mogul1. Despite the 2024 reversal of Weinstein's earlier 2020 conviction by New York's highest court23, the movement's influence has remained resilient. Since 2017, states have introduced over 2,300 bills addressing sexual harassment, with 286 becoming law between 2017 and 20213.
The movement has fundamentally shifted how society responds to sexual misconduct allegations, with experts noting that "after #MeToo, women are much more likely to be seen, to be heard, to be believed"1. This cultural transformation extends beyond individual cases, as activists and legal scholars emphasize that the movement "never really did rise or fall on the one person"2. Despite setbacks like the 2024 reversal, the #MeToo legacy continues through institutional changes, workplace safety reforms, and a broader societal willingness to hold powerful figures accountable for sexual misconduct21.
Miriam Haley, a former TV production assistant, delivered emotional testimony as the first accuser to take the stand in Weinstein's rape retrial. She recounted how Weinstein allegedly restrained her on a bed and forced her to perform oral sex in July 2006, despite her repeated protests of "No, it's not going to happen."12 During cross-examination, Haley became visibly upset when defense attorney Jennifer Bonjean suggested she had consented, tearfully responding, "He was the one who raped me, not the other way around," before temporarily leaving the courtroom.34
The defense strategy focused on questioning why Haley continued interactions with Weinstein after the alleged assault, including emails where she asked for work opportunities and signed "lots of love."5 Haley maintained she was never interested in a sexual relationship with Weinstein but sought professional opportunities from the influential producer.4 Her testimony proved crucial to the case, as Weinstein was ultimately found guilty of first-degree criminal sexual act involving Haley, while being acquitted on other charges.6
Weinstein's 2020 conviction was overturned by New York's highest court in April 2024, with the Court of Appeals ruling 4-3 that the original trial judge had made "egregious" judicial decisions that denied Weinstein a fair trial.12 The court specifically cited Judge James Burke's decision to allow testimony from three women about allegations that weren't part of the charges against Weinstein, stating this testimony "served no material non-propensity purpose" and "portrayed defendant in a highly prejudicial light."23
Despite the reversal, Weinstein remained incarcerated due to a separate 2022 rape conviction in Los Angeles, for which he received a 16-year sentence.12 The Manhattan District Attorney's office immediately committed to retrying the case, with the new trial beginning on April 23, 2025.45 The retrial included an additional new sex crime charge that wasn't part of the original case, involving allegations that Weinstein forced oral sex on a woman in Manhattan in 2006 — accusations that prosecutors said came to light just days before Weinstein's first trial.5
