Harvey Weinstein to ‘fight another day’ as he’s granted right to appeal rape conviction

The disgraced Hollywood producer, 70, was found guilty of rape and sentenced to 23 years in prison in 2020 but he has now been granted the right to appeal the conviction

Harvey Weinstein has been granted the right to appeal his rape conviction from 2020 which saw him sentenced to 23 years in prison.

The disgraced Hollywood producer, 70, was found guilty of rape two years ago but has always insisted any relations with the women involved were consensual. Now, his appeal has been granted by State of New York Court of Appeals.

The decision lets him "live to fight another day," his attorney Arthur L Aidala told Page Six.

Aidala told the publication: "This isn’t about whether [Weinstein] is innocent or guilty, but if he got a fair trial or not a fair trial. It’s about whether the trial judge followed the law."

The defense argues that the judge allowed a number of witnesses to testify about acts that Weinstein hadn't been charged with.

Harvey Weinstein was originally found guilty of rape

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( AFP via Getty Images)

The move follows a denial for an appeal from the Appellate Division, First Department court in June when judges found the decision did not warrant overturning.

Page Six goes on to claim that paperwork from both sides will be submitted by early next year, leading to oral arguments taking place in the spring time. It also claims that if the case was to go to trial again then Weinstein would be able to be released on bail.

Aidala continued to say they were grateful for the decision, adding that he "acknowledged the unique legal issues in this case".

He added that Weinstein, who is currently incarcerated at the Twin Towers Correctional Facility in Los Angeles, feels a sense of relief at the outcome. "He is very hopeful that these judges will rule that he did not get a fair trial. He has consistently maintained his innocence as he does today," Aidala said.

He was sentenced to 23 years in prison in 2020

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( AFP via Getty Images)

The original sentence was hailed as a victory for the #MeToo movement in Hollywood. After his sentence was originally handed down, the six women who testified against him and the prosecutors walked victoriously out of the courtroom.

Variety reported at the time that Weinstein said of the outcome: "I am totally confused. I think men are confused about all of this…this feeling of thousands of men and women who are losing due process, I’m worried about this country.

"This is not the right atmosphere in the United States of America."

He also said he had "serious friendships" with the two accusers he has been found guilty of assaulting.