Weinstein Accuser Testifies in Court
A former model has come forward in a New York court, recounting a traumatic experience involving Harvey Weinstein when she was just 16 years old. Kaja Sokola described the alleged incident as “the most horrifying thing I’ve ever experienced.”
Sokola testified that in 2002, in a Manhattan apartment, Weinstein had her touch her genitals after putting his hands inside her underwear. He purportedly told her that to succeed in the film industry, she needed to become accustomed to such experiences.
She recalled, “I was scared. I was scared of him. I’ve never been in close proximity with any of those other people.” Sokola described Weinstein’s eyes as “black and scary” and noted that he insisted she keep silent while claiming he could help her make it in Hollywood.
As the second accuser in this trial, Sokola also revealed that, four years later, Weinstein lured her into a hotel room under the pretense of discussing a script but instead forced her to perform oral sex. “I kept saying: ‘Don’t, stop, I don’t want this,'” she testified, but he did not heed her pleas.
During the alleged assault, Sokola stated that Weinstein held her down and removed her clothing before committing sexual acts upon her. She expressed the emotional toll it took on her, saying, “My soul has been removed from me. I felt like I was dead,” following the incident that lasted around 15 minutes.
This new testimony has raised further charges against Weinstein, particularly regarding an encounter from 2006, which had not been part of his earlier trials. The Court of Appeals had previously dismissed some allegations due to procedural errors in how the prosecution presented evidence.
Weinstein’s legal team has attempted to cast doubt on Sokola’s claims, highlighting that her earlier lawsuit did not mention the 2006 incident. During questioning, Weinstein’s lawyer suggested possible financial motives for her current allegations.
Previously, testimonies from other accusers like Miriam Haley, who stated she was also pressured into unwanted sexual acts, have been heard in court. Another accuser, Jessica Mann, has similar claims against Weinstein.
Currently, Weinstein faces charges relating to Haley’s and Mann’s accusations, and he has pleaded not guilty. He is already serving a 16-year prison sentence stemming from a sexual assault conviction in California, which he is appealing alongside the New York retrial.
Amid health issues, including leukemia and heart disease, Weinstein has been brought to court daily from a hospital. His defense has pursued multiple hearings to address his situation, all of which have been denied by the presiding judge. The case is ongoing.
