May 2 – A former production assistant of Harvey Weinstein was visibly upset as she testified in a New York City trial regarding sexual assault allegations from nearly two decades ago.
Miriam Haley, who was involved in a TV project, reportedly left the courtroom after being questioned by Weinstein’s attorney, Jennifer Bonjean.
Haley, now 48, was asked by prosecutors about her experiences with Weinstein, who is 73. On the fourth day of the trial, Bonjean inquired about Haley’s clothing on the night Weinstein allegedly forced oral sex on her in July 2006.
Haley described the first incident happening at Weinstein’s apartment and claimed he later assaulted her in a hotel room in Tribeca.
“He took off my clothes… I wasn’t the one undressing,” Haley recounted about the incident. “He was the one who raped me, not the other way around.”
While crying, Haley insisted, “Don’t tell me I wasn’t raped.” Following this, Judge Curtis Farber permitted a brief recess.
Upon her return, she was again questioned about his attire and how it came off. She responded, “I didn’t take my clothes off. I was in my own time… I didn’t take off my clothes.”
During her initial testimony in 2020, Haley had spoken out against Weinstein. She previously indicated that she hadn’t invited Weinstein into her home after turning down his offer to attend Paris Haute Couture Fashion Week. However, she later accepted his invitation to fly to Los Angeles for a movie premiere, feeling uneasy about not going to his apartment.
Haley is the first of three accusers expected to testify in this trial.
Weinstein was previously convicted, but an appellate court overturned that decision, stating that testimony about alleged assaults by Weinstein against women who were not formally accusing him could be included.
The former producer is also contesting a 2022 rape conviction and is serving a 16-year sentence in Los Angeles.
Weinstein has denied the allegations, describing the encounters as consensual.
According to Assistant District Attorney Shannon Lucy, “He understood the allure of Hollywood dreams and knew how success was promised.”
Weinstein has pleaded not guilty to a criminal act charge in New York, and he faces a third-degree rape charge linked to a 2013 incident involving actress Jessica Mann.
Additionally, he is facing charges related to alleged assaults on former Polish model Kaja Sokola in 2006, who is expected to testify as well.
After being recently transferred from Rikers Island, Weinstein is currently under security at Bellevue Hospital in New York. His legal team claims that harsh conditions have negatively impacted his health.
