Northwestern legal expert on Harvey Weinstein conviction in retrial of sex crimes case

CHICAGO --- Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein was convicted of one of the top charges in the retrial of his sex crimes case today. He was acquitted of another, and jurors, yet, have been unable to reach a verdict on a third charge.

Five years ago, Weinstein was convicted in the case that is considered the apex of the #MeTooMovement. His conviction was overturned last year, and the case was sent back to the Manhattan court for a retrial.

Jurors in the retrial convicted Weinstein of forcibly subjecting one to a criminal sex act in 2006 and acquitted him of another alleged criminal sex act from 2006. On Wednesday afternoon, they were still deliberating on a charge that he raped a woman in 2013.

Deborah Tuerkheimer, Class of 1967 James B. Haddad Professor of Law at Northwestern Pritzker School of Law, is available for comment.

Tuerkheimer on the verdict and the current state of #MeToo:

“The mixed verdict sends a powerful message. The defense team argued that the women had consensual sex with the mogul to advance their careers and later lied because they regretted the transactions. The jury rejected these attacks and found at least one of the victims credible. This validation is meaningful, and it closes a chapter that began when blockbuster reporting on accusations of sexual assault against Weinstein sparked a movement.

“What has changed is that MeToo is now being used to bolster the case for skepticism. There is cruel irony in the weaponization of progress to set back the cause. Notwithstanding the movement’s successes, it has left intact a system of steep credibility discounts for accusers. Harvey Weinstein took advantage of this system to prey on women. While the jury’s verdict provides a measure of justice, the court of public opinion has turned back against victims.”

To set up an interview with Professor Tuerkheimer, contact Shanice Harris at shanice.harris@northwestern.edu.