Harvey Weinstein is set to remain in custody in New York while awaiting a retrial on rape and sexual assault charges in Manhattan, according to prosecutors. The former movie mogul appeared in court related to California’s request to extradite him but will first serve his pending 16-year sentence for a separate rape conviction in California. Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz confirmed that Weinstein would serve the California sentence first before returning to face the New York charges. Weinstein, who maintains his innocence, was convicted in Los Angeles in 2022 while serving time in New York. His 2020 Manhattan conviction was overturned earlier this year due to procedural issues surrounding the trial. A retrial in Manhattan is tentatively scheduled for November.
Weinstein, 72, appeared in Queens criminal court handcuffed to a wheelchair and holding a book and magazine. He agreed to remain at Rikers Island jail complex, where he returned after a recent hospitalization for health problems, including COVID-19 and pneumonia in both lungs. The extradition proceedings are being held in Queens due to the proximity to Rikers Island.
Last month, Manhattan prosecutors mentioned plans to bring new sexual assault charges against Weinstein but have not provided further details or a timeline. Weinstein’s lawyer, Arthur Aidala, raised concerns about the strength of the current case following the mention of potential new accusers by prosecutors.
