Harvey Weinstein to Stay in New York Jail Pending Rape Retrial

Harvey Weinstein is set to remain in custody in New York as he awaits retrial on rape and sexual assault charges. Prosecutors confirmed this decision while Weinstein appeared briefly in court in relation to California’s request for his extradition. Once his New York case concludes, he will return to California to serve a 16-year sentence for a separate rape conviction there, according to Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz.

Weinstein, who maintains his innocence regarding the accusations, was convicted in Los Angeles in 2022 while already serving a 23-year sentence in New York. His 2020 conviction in Manhattan was overturned earlier this year by the state’s highest court due to unfair testimony allowance in the original trial. The retrial in Manhattan is tentatively scheduled for November.

During his court appearance in Queens, Weinstein, handcuffed to a wheelchair, agreed to remain at Rikers Island jail complex. Weinstein had recently been hospitalized for health issues, including COVID-19 and pneumonia. The extradition proceedings are taking place in Queens due to its proximity to Rikers Island.

Prosecutors in Manhattan are considering bringing new sexual assault charges against Weinstein, though no specific details or timeline have been provided. Weinstein’s attorney, Arthur Aidala, raised concerns about the current case’s strength following discussions of potential new accusers by prosecutors.