Harvey Weinstein Appears In Court Days After Overturned Conviction; Retrial Could Come As Soon As This Fall
Former film producer turned convicted sex offender Harvey Weinstein appeared in court today after recently being transferred to Rikers Island prison facility.
The disgraced movie mogul was wheeled into a Queens courtroom Thursday morning to complete a brief appearance before a judge, per the 'New York Post,' wearing a navy blue suit with an American flag pinned to his lapel.
During the court visit, defense attorneys Diana Fabi Samson and John Esposito declined to waive an extradition hearing which could send Weinstein to California, the state connected to his 2023 sex charges.
Samson spoke to reporters after the hearing, saying the "governor needs to sign such a warrant of extradition and we took the position that the governor, the people need to produce the appropriate documentation for an extradition."
"They are not in a position to extradite Mr. Weinstein right now because they have not done what they need to do," he stated. Judge Joanne Watters has reportedly sent him back to jail to await further proceedings, per the news outlet.
The transfer came hours after a 10-day stay at Bellevue hospital, where he was reportedly "getting VIP treatment," which publicist Juda Engelmeyer has disputed. Engelmeyer claimed he "wasn't getting preferential or VIP treatment" and wasn't staying in what's considered a hospital suite.
"He's been moved back to Rikers largely due to pressure, I believe, due to pressure because of the news about what somebody thought was VIP treatment," he stated per ABC News.
Regarding the 72-year-old's health, Samson claims her client has some "very serious health issues," but is "holding up as well as can be expected under the circumstances." She claimed her client was treated for pneumonia, recurring heart trouble, and various conditions including diabetes.
Per ABC, Weinstein gained "relief and hope" from the appeals ruling, but knows he faces a larger prison term due to his California case. "His spirits are up, but he also knows he has a long, long trip ahead of him," Engelmeyer explained. "He knows that he won't be getting out soon."
On April 25, Weinstein's ruling was reversed citing that the judge on the case made a series of errors that prevented a fair trial, resulting in his 2020 charges being dropped.
Per the Manhattan District Attorney's Office, a retrial could happen as soon as this fall.
