An American grand jury has decided to indict producer Harvey Weinstein on Wednesday for rape in the first and third degree and criminal sexual act in the first degree, as reported by the Manhattan district attorney’s office. Cyrus Vance’s office has pointed out that “this brings the accused one step closer to accountability for the violent crimes for which he is now charged,” as reported by the US television channel CBS. He also stressed that his office “will judge this case not before the press, but in court.” “The recent attack by the accused against the integrity of the survivors and the legal process is foreseeable,” he said, before expressing his “confidence” that “when the jury hears the evidence, reject these attacks.” Weinstein, who pleads not guilty to the crimes he is charged with, turned himself in to New York police on Friday by going to the Tribeca neighborhood police station. He was later released on a million dollar bail charges. More than 70 women accused study co-founder Miramax and The Weinstein Co of sexual misconduct, including rape. These allegations led to the #MeToo movement in which hundreds of women have publicly accused powerful men in business, government and entertainment. Weinstein has denied having sex without consent. Among the actresses who publicly accused Weinstein of sexual misconduct are Uma Thurman, Salma Hayek, Angelina Jolie, Gwyneth Paltrow, Lena Headey, Rose McGowan and Cate Blanchett.“Mr. Weinstein has always maintained that he has never engaged in non-consensual sexual behavior with anyone. Nothing about today’s proceedings changes Mr. Weinstein’s position. He has pleaded not guilty and hopes to be exonerated, “Weinstein’s attorney, Ben Brafman, said last week. “Many of these accusations must have been made a long time ago, about events that supposedly occurred many years ago,” Brafman said in part. “I can anticipate that when they are questioned, should we go that far, the women who made these accusations will not believe themselves. Assuming we get 12 righteous people who have not been consumed by the movement that has taken this case, “he said. “Mr. Weinstein did not invent the ‘couch casting’ in Hollywood and in this case we are not judging whether that is professional malpractice,” he said. Since the allegations were made public, entertainment industry heavyweights have distanced themselves from Weinstein, who rose to be one of the most powerful men in Hollywood. Weinstein Co’s board of directors fired him and in March, the company filed for bankruptcy.
