The sentence was handed down after he was convicted on counts of a first-degree criminal sex act for forcing oral sex on an assistant and third-degree rape of another woman .The judge rejected a plea by the 67-year old former media mogul’s attorney for a minimum sentence of five years based on his supposedly poor health (he came to court in a wheelchair).
Lawyers for Weinstein pleaded with the judge for the minimum sentence of five years in prison. Donna Rotunno, his chief defense attorney, cited his work in the film industry as well as his failing health as mitigating factors.
The sex offender also addressed the court personally in a rambling address in which he expressed remorse as well as implying he had been “confused” in his dealings with the women. “I’m totally confused, men are confused about all of this issue.”
Weinstein went on to say: “I really feel remorse for this situation, I feel it deeply in my heart,” adding: “We may have different truths.”
At the end of the proceedings, Weinstein was cuffed to his wheelchair and led away. Several of the accusers who had testified could be seen at that moment sobbing.
Within a few hours of the stunning sentence being delivered, Weinstein was hit with a further withering blow. The district attorney in Los Angeles announced that it has begun extradition proceedings to bring him to face two charges relating to two additional west coast accusers.
It may be true that some men are ‘confused’ by some aspects of their relationships with women, but the things that Weinstein was accused of doing were so egregious and took place on so many occasions with so many different victims that the idea that he was confused as to whether his conduct fell within accepted norms of behavior is hard to accept.
If a man complained about being confused about how to best congratulate women on their birthdays and what gifts to give them, I’d believe him. If a man complains that he is confused about whether sexual abuse is fine, then he’s just bullshitting. In such situations abusers know damn well that they are committing crimes, they do this not because of some confusion, but because they want to abuse the other person and imagine that they can get away with it.
In my research, I have found that confusion on this issue can be handled by the mysterious and arcane process known as “asking”. Of course, that’s assuming you’re actually confused and not just looking for an excuse to ignore her wishes.
“Confused” makes one mistake, maybe two -- it doesn’t do it for decades and organize a cover-up.
He’s just confused that it caught up with him.
I expect a pardon from the Abuser in Chief within the month?
bmiller @ # 4: I expect a pardon from the Abuser in Chief within the month?
Aw, c’mon -- Harvey Weinstein has donated money to Hillary Clinton. Trump would never pardon such a heinous criminal!!1!
It helps that this is a state conviction, so the president can’t actually pardon him. The president only has pardoning power over the federal judicial system.