Final Verdict In #MeToo Case: Harvey Weinstein Gets 23 Years In Prison

Harvey Weinstein, the ex-movie mogul, has been sentenced to 23 years in prison for his conviction of third-degree rape and forcible sexual assault of Jessica Mann and production assistant Miriam Haleyi. But soon after being sentenced, he once again experienced chest pains and was hence sent from Rikers Island jail back to Bellevue Hospital as confirmed by his representative Juda Engelmayer.

During the hearing, Miriam Haleyi spoke at length, describing how Harvey Weinstein has scarred her for life.

“He violated my trust, my body and my basic right to reject his sexual advances,” said Haleyi, as she broke down. "When he attacked me that evening, it scarred me emotionally and physically. It diminished my confidence and faith in people and my confidence and faith in myself. I’m relieved he will now know he’s not above the law.”

Haleyi was followed by Jessica Mann, who called out Weinstein’s lawyers for “twisting the truth.”

“My rape was preventable," Mann said. "This was a known offender whose previous crimes were covered up in a paper trail” of nondisclosure agreements. I am forced to carry that experience until I die. It is a recurring nightmare that I feel is just as real as when it happened.”

She demanded the jury to give the “maximum” sentence to Weinstein, as "behind bars, Harvey can have the chance to rehabilitate while being held accountable for his crimes.”

Harvey Weinstein was next to speak, as he expressed his “remorse for this situation”. “I feel it deep in my heart. I’m really trying to be a better person," Weinstein said, adding that he "would do a lot of things over. I would care less about the movies and care more about my children and my family...I may never see my children again."

After Weinstein’s too-little-too-late apology to his victims, Judge James Burke pronounced the sentence. “The sentence of the court is as follows: (For) criminal sexual act in the first degree, you are sentenced to 20 years in prison, five years post-release supervision....(For) rape in the third degree, three years prison, five years post-release supervision,” he said.