Convicted rapist Harvey Weinstein is going blind and has lost several teeth behind bars, his lawyer claimed Monday – while the former film magnate has virtually appeared in a state court to fight extradition to Los Angeles on the grounds of ‘ a fresh accusation of sex crimes.
The devastated rainmaker from Hollywood is virtually appearing in Erie County Court, wearing a burgundy jersey, and seems to be well-meaning, smiling and talking to his lawyers before the trial begins.
His lawyer Norman Effman said his client does not want to be sent to the Golden State yet because he has dental and eye procedures that need to be addressed first. Effman specifically said Weinstein is almost blind and needs eye surgery. In addition, he is “scheduled for some dental procedures to save his teeth – he is lost, I believe four at this point,” Effman said.
Judge Kenneth Case granted the defense one week to file a motion to challenge the extradition, which he plans to rule on April 30.
The murdered film magnate is being charged in the Los Angeles High Court with 11 counts – including violent rape, violent oral fusion and sexual battery by self-control – as a result of the allegations of five women.
According to Effman, he has since been charged on similar but not identical charges. If convicted, he faces up to 140 years in prison for alleged crimes ranging from 2004 to 2013.
The 69-year-old, who has served 23 years for rape and criminal sex in the Wende Correctional Facility,’s extradition to the City of Angels was pushed back twice due to the coronavirus pandemic. LA prosecutors filed paperwork for extradition in March last year to bring the disgraceful producer to California.
A jury in Manhattan found Weinstein guilty in February 2020 of raping hairstylist Jessica Mann in 2013 and committing violent oral sex on former TV staff member “Project Runway” Miriam “Mimi” Haleyi in 2006.
He appealed the conviction earlier this month, claiming he was “deprived of a fair trial.”
Weinstein’s Los Angeles attorney, Mark Werksman, said his client was innocent. ‘These are old, unfounded, unsupported, unbelievable allegations that arose during the hysteria of the #MeToo movement, and we are confident that Mr. Weinstein will be acquitted because there is no credible evidence against him. He is innocent, “Werksman said in a statement.
Before the trial began Monday, Weinstein, apparently unaware that his microphone was live, praised Werksman, who observed but did not participate in the trial.
“It was quite a statement. I really appreciated it a lot. It was amazing, ‘the captured predator stormed in before his lawyer warned him he could be heard on the live feed. The conversation then moved on to a discussion between his lawyers about the benefits of air fryers.