(NewsNation) — Prosecutors say new indictments against movie mogul Harvey Weinstein are possible, indicating accusers who were not ready to come forward before may be ready to do so now.
Weinstein’s 2020 sexual assault convictions were overturned by an appeals court, and prosecutors have begun efforts to retry the case.
Appearing before a judge Wednesday, both prosecutors and the defense began working out legal issues related to the retrial. Jessica Mann, one of the accusers in the first trial, has agreed to testify again. Now, it seems other women may also be ready to come forward.
New charges could be filed in June, and the judge has ordered both sides not to speak to the media about the case.
Allegations against Weinstein helped spark the #MeToo movement, with many survivors of sexual assault sharing stories about their experiences. More than 80 women accused Weinstein of assault, harassment or rape, with allegations going as far back as the 1970s.
Some of those who came forward with stories of misconduct were well-known celebrities, including Rose McGowan, Rosanna Arquette, Kate Beckinsale, Darryl Hannah, Salma Hayek, Gwyneth Paltrow, Angelina Jolie, Lupita Nyong’o, Lena Headey, Mira Sorvino and Ashley Judd.
Women who have accused Weinstein of sexual assault say he used his power in the film world to ensure they did not come forward. New Yorker reporter Ronan Farrow reported that Weinstein had hired a private intelligence firm to try to suppress allegations and keep them from being published.
Weinstein was charged with sexual assault against two women in New York in 2018. Many of those who came forward about those experiences could not bring their cases to trial due to statutes of limitations or because they experienced sexual harassment, which is a civil violation, rather than assault.
Weinstein was convicted of sexual assault and rape, but the conviction was overturned by an appeals court. During the case, prosecutors introduced other women who had accused Weinstein of sexual misconduct as witnesses to establish a pattern of predatory behavior, which the appeals court found should not have been allowed.
Prosecutors decided to retry the case and indicated in Wednesday’s hearing that additional charges could be coming. It’s not clear how many other women may be prepared to step forward or the exact nature of the charges.
Weinstein is still incarcerated on another sexual assault conviction in Los Angeles.
If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted please call the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673.
