Saturday, March 29, 2025
harvey weinstein retrial testimony took an intense turn as accuser Miriam Haley broke down during a cross-examination on Friday, highlighting the emotional strain at the start of the retrial for the disgraced Hollywood mogul.
Miriam Haley, a former production assistant, is the first witness to testify in Weinstein’s latest trial. She alleges that in July 2006, Weinstein sexually assaulted her at his apartment after inviting her to “just stop by and say hi.” Haley testified that Weinstein backed her into a bedroom, held her down, and ignored her pleas for him to stop.
During the cross-examination, defense attorney Jennifer Bonjean pressed Haley on details of the incident, including what she wore and who removed her clothing. Haley responded emotionally, asserting, “He took my clothes off. I didn’t take my clothes off. He was the one who raped me.”
As tensions rose, Haley tearfully interrupted the attorney, insisting, “It’s my experience. And he did that to me,” using strong language before Judge Curtis Farber halted proceedings for her to compose herself. The harvey weinstein retrial testimony resumed after a short recess.
Weinstein, now 73, faces charges of sexually assaulting Haley and another woman, Kaja Sokola, and raping a third, Jessica Mann. He has pleaded not guilty. His defense claims that the encounters were consensual and that the women sought career advancement by associating with him.
This marks Weinstein’s third trial in five years. His 2020 conviction was overturned due to procedural errors, leading to the current retrial.
Legal analysts note that the harvey weinstein retrial testimony could set the tone for the remainder of the proceedings. Haley’s emotional breakdown may sway jury perception, but the defense is expected to continue its aggressive challenge of each accuser’s credibility.
Weinstein remains a central figure in the global conversation about sexual misconduct and abuse of power in the entertainment industry.
