Justice is served.
On Wednesday, Harvey Weinstein was sentenced to 23 years in prison and will be required to register as a sex offender. The historic ruling in the #MeToo era came from Supreme Court Judge James Burke.
On the first-degree count of criminal sexual act, Weinstein received 20 years in prison plus five years of supervised release. On the other convicted charge of third-degree rape, he was given three years in prison. The judge decided to make the sentences consecutive as opposed to concurrent.
Related: Harvey Weinstein Said He Wanted Jennifer Aniston ‘Killed’
ICYMI, the former movie mogul was convicted on February 24 of third degree rape for assaulting aspiring actress Jessica Mann in an NYC hotel room in 2013, and of committing a criminal sex act for forcing oral sex on PA Mimi Haley in 2006.
The 67-year-old appeared in court on Wednesday in a wheelchair. His lawyers had initially appealed for leniency, saying even five years could be a “life sentence” for the ailing abuser. However, prosecutors argued he should be given the maximum given his “lifetime of abuse” towards women. He was facing a max of 29 years.
Weinstein addressed the court and the women for the first time today saying:
“I have great remorse for all of you. I have great remorse for all women.”
Weinstein carried on, revealing he believed he had a “serious friendship” with Mimi and Jessica:
“I’m not going to say that these aren’t great people.”
He also said he’s “totally confused” by the charges…
Umm, ok?
Weinstein also spoke broadly about the #MeToo movement, and it’s pretty much the exact thing you’d expect to see from a convicted rapist:
“I think men are confused about all of this…this feeling of thousands of men & 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 shared his career in the film industry is “over,” (duh?) and that now “my mission is to help” whatever that means. He also addressed his two ex-wives by saying:
“I was unfaithful to both. I can’t tell you how bad I feel about that.”
Related: Harvey Weinstein Was Reportedly On Suicide Watch Before Sentencing
The former Hollywood heavyweight concluded by sharing:
“I really feel remorse for this situation. I feel it deeply in my heart.”
MANY women have come forward with allegations of sexual misconduct, including rape, against Weinstein since the case exploded in October of 2017.
Do you believe the judge did the right thing, Perezcious readers? Sound OFF with all your Weinstein-related thoughts in the comments (below)!
[Image via WENN]
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