Weinstein guilty of 3 sex crimes in LA; Jury deadlocks on Newsom’s wife

A jury in Los Angeles on Monday found disgraced film mogul Harvey Weinstein guilty of rape in the second criminal trial against the film producer.

Weinstein, 70, who is already serving a 23-year sentence for sexual assault in New York, was found guilty of three counts including rape, forced oral copulation and another charge of sexual misconduct involving an Italian model , whom Weinstein allegedly uninvited her hotel room in 2013, according to the Associated Press (AP).

However, the jury was unable to enter a verdict on several other charges Weinstein faced in California, including charges relating to state Governor Gavin Newsom’s wife. Jennifer Siebel Newsom, a documentary filmmaker, testified that Weinstein raped her in a hotel room in 2005, the AP reported.

Siebel Newsom was one of four women who accused Weinstein of the assault from 2005 to 2013. Monday’s guilty verdicts were all linked to one of the accusers, known in court as Jane Doe 1, NBC News reported.

In addition to Siebel Newsom’s case, the AP noted, the four women and eight men jurors were hung on charges against Lauren Young, who also testified at Weinstein’s New York trial. Weinstein was acquitted of an allegation of sexual harassment made by a massage therapist during a 2010 encounter at a hotel.

Weinstein faces up to 24 years for Monday’s verdict. According to a press release from the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office, the jury will meet again Tuesday “to consider aggravating factors that will help determine the outcome of Weinstein’s sentencing hearing.”

In a statement released shortly after the guilty verdict, Siebel told Newsom, “Weinstein will never be able to rape another woman.”

“He’s going to spend the rest of his life behind bars where he belongs,” added California’s first partner.

Jane Doe 1 also released a statement following the verdict, saying Weinstein “damaged a part of me forever that night in 2013 and I will never get that back.”

“The criminal trial was brutal and Weinstein’s attorneys put me through hell on the witness stand, but I knew I had to see this through to the end,” the victim said, according to the statement posted by Meghan Cuniff, senior reporter at Law & Crime.

Since 2017, nearly 90 women have accused Weinstein of sexual misconduct, often with allegations that the film’s producer offered career advances to rising stars in exchange for sexual favors. The first women competed with the help of two journalists The New York Timeswho, in October of that year, reported more than three decades of sexual assault allegations against Weinstein.

Weinstein and his lawyers firmly believe the former Hollywood producer is not guilty of the allegations and pleaded not guilty in Los Angeles.

Actress Mira Sorvino, who accused Weinstein of molestation in 2017, tweeted Monday night about the verdict. Write“My only regret is that justice was denied to Jane Doe #2 & Jennifer Siebel Newsom & Lauren Young.”

news week has reached out to the Newsom office for comment.

Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network (RAINN) Sexual Assault Hotline specialists are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by phone (1 (800) 656-4673) and online chat. Additional group support is also available through the mobile app.

Update 12/19/22 9:14 PM ET: This story has been updated with additional information and background information.