HARVEY Weinstein was rushed to hospital with Covid-19 just days after the ailing former producer appeared in court in a wheelchair.
Weinstein’s lawyers are at an initial hearing on sexual assault charges against the disgraced producer.
Weinstein recently appeared in court after sentencing was handed down and a new start date was set for his retrial months after his original conviction was overturned.
“Craig Rothfeld, Mr. Weinstein’s legal representative and corrections consultant, confirms that Mr. Weinstein returned to the Bellevue Hospital Correctional Unit,” Weinstein’s lawyers told Deadline.
He is being treated for a “myriad of fitness issues” as well as diabetes, high blood pressure and fluid in his heart.
“In addition, Mr. Weinstein tested positive for Covid and has double pneumonia in his lungs,” the lawyers continue.
“We continue to express our appreciation to the officials, doctors and nurses at DOCS, CHS and NYC H H who ensured that Mr. Weinstein was immediately transferred to the Bellevue Hospital Correctional Unit and will continue to work hand in hand. “We have to make sure that Mr. Weinstein receives proper medical treatment. “
Earlier this month, Judge Curtis Farber set a date for the start of the new rape trial on Nov. 12.
However, he said he is open to an earlier date depending on how temporarily prosecutors go before the grand jury.
Weinstein’s lawyers told Judge Farber they would prefer an earlier start date.
“He [Weinstein] is ready to go to trial and prove his innocence,” one of his lawyers told AP News after the hearing.
Weinstein, 72, looked absolutely unrecognizable as he walked into the Manhattan courtroom.
He remained expressionless in his wheelchair as the judge set a new trial date.
On April 25, a New York appeals court ruled that Weinstein did not get a fair trial when he was convicted of two sex crimes in January 2020.
The appeals court panel found that errors were made through Judge James Burke, who oversaw the initial proceedings.
Burke allowed testimony from witnesses accusing Weinstein of sexual assault, but those allegations were not part of the charges against him, the appeals court said.
Actress Jessica Mann and producer Miriam “Mimi” Haley are expected to testify in the retrial.
Both made accusations against Weinstein, which led to their first criminal charges.
Weinstein has maintained his innocence.
Criminal defense attorney Keith B. Johnson told the U. S. Sun that the former movie mogul attempted to use his physical disorders to influence the jury.
“Mr. Weinstein will not settle for a deal,” he said.
“It’s going to be a trial, and it’s also the right resolution on their part, because it can’t be worse than it already is.
“If you get a more sympathetic jury, they might say, ‘Look at this old man, he looks pitiful, he’s done enough, maybe he did, maybe he didn’t. ‘”
At an earlier court hearing on May 29, Judge Farber said it was a new criminal charge against Weinstein.
Prosecutors say more allegations of sexual assault have been brought against Weinstein.
“People who may not have spoken out in 2020 are now in a position to do so in 2024,” said prosecutor Nicole Blumberg.
In December 2022, Weinstein was sentenced to 16 years in criminal prison after being convicted of rape and sexual assault.
“Harvey Weinstein tried through a formula designed to ‘get him’ at all costs,” Juda Engelmayer, Weinstein’s publicist, told NBC News after filing his appeal.
“This appeal demonstrates approximately a dozen spaces of egregious legal errors that violated his right to a fair trial. We know he has a strong case here. “
Before his hospitalization, Weinstein was staying at Rikers Island.
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