Ashley Judd appeared subdued as she was seen in New York City on Friday, just a day after one of Harvey Weinstein’s rape convictions was overturned.
Weinstein, aged 72, had been sentenced to 23 years in prison for two sexual assaults against aspiring actress Jessica Mann and production assistant Mimi Haleyi. His conviction from 2020 was overturned on Thursday by the New York Court of Appeals, which stated that the producer did not have a fair trial.
“This is unfair to survivors. We live in our truth. We know what happened,” Judd, the initial whistleblower against Weinstein, stated on Instagram.
Dressed in a white dress, sunglasses, and a backpack, Judd was seen walking through Manhattan shortly after making her statement.
In an interview with the BBC, the actress expressed, “Oftentimes survivors say that the betrayal and the moral injury we suffer within the system is worse than the sexual body invasion we experienced in the first place.”
The overturning of Weinstein’s conviction, which happened on a Thursday, was met with significant backlash, particularly from his accusers who labeled the decision as “profoundly unjust.”
Sarah Ann Masse, a filmmaker and founder of Hire Survivors Hollywood who accused Weinstein of sexual assault, described the decision as “a devastating but unsurprising miscarriage of justice” during her appearance on Good Morning Britain.
“I just want to remind people that this overturning of this verdict does not erase his guilt and does not mean that anyone that came forward was not telling the truth, or that what they did wasn’t valuable,” Masse noted, adding that it represented “just a glitch in the system” that might necessitate a retrial for the victims.
Louisette Geiss, a former actress and musical director who accused Weinstein of sexual harassment in 2017, conveyed the emotional toll of testifying against him on the breakfast show. She described it as “soul crushing” and emphasized the difficulty of facing Weinstein in court.
“We have to, we have to strengthen it and we have to make sure that what happened in New York does not happen again. I mean, it’s absolutely ridiculous,” Geiss advocated for legislative change.
Masse, who also accused Weinstein of sexual assault during a job interview, echoed the need for legislative reforms: “We’re survivors, we’re leading this charge and legislative change is deeply important.”
Siebel Newsom, who testified against Weinstein in California, expressed her dismay on Thursday, stating, “This is a very sad day for countless women who suffered at the hands of a serial predator.”
“Two juries have said unequivocally: Harvey Weinstein must never be able to rape another woman, and he deserves to spend the rest of his life behind bars. Harvey Weinstein is a serial predator and rapist,” Newsom added.
Other actresses, including Mira Sorvino and Rosanna Arquette, also voiced their frustration. Sorvino tweeted her disgust at the justice system, while Arquette told The Hollywood Reporter, “Harvey was rightfully convicted. It’s unfortunate that the court has overturned his conviction. As a survivor, I am beyond disappointed.”
Katherine Kendall and Rose McGowan, both Weinstein accusers, reiterated the importance of supporting victims and continuing the dialogue on sexual misconduct. McGowan emphasized, “They will never overturn who we are.”
Ambra Battilana Gutierrez expressed on X, “This is an ongoing failure of the justice system – and the courts – to take survivors seriously and to protect our interests.”
“(Manhattan District Attorney Alvin) Bragg ran for office in 2021 because his predecessor failed so many of us. We expect him to pursue Weinstein now,” stated a spokesperson, emphasizing the community’s expectations from the current district attorney.
Double Jeopardy star Judd added, “This today is an act of institutional betrayal. And our institutions betray survivors of male sexual violence, and we need to work within and without the systems to start having what is known as ‘institutional courage’.”
In 1997, while filming the thriller “Kiss The Girls,” Judd believed she was going to a breakfast meeting at a hotel with Weinstein. Instead, she recounted, he pressured her to exchange massages and watch him shower. To escape the situation, Judd claimed she had to promise to yield to his advances if she won an Oscar in one of his films.
In 2019, a sexual harassment claim Judd filed against Weinstein was dismissed by the United States District Court in Los Angeles. She alleged Weinstein had defamed her, adversely affecting her career.
The decision to overturn Weinstein’s 23-year sentence came with a 4-3 ruling from the New York Court of Appeals. The court criticized the trial judge for what it considered serious missteps, notably allowing testimony about unrelated allegations.
The Court of Appeals concluded that the trial judge had prejudiced the case against Weinstein through “egregious” and improper rulings. Specifically, the majority criticized Judge James Burke’s decision to permit women to testify about allegations for which Weinstein was not on trial, describing it as “an abuse of judicial discretion” that showcased “loathsome alleged bad acts and despicable behavior.”
“Without question, this is appalling, shameful, repulsive conduct that could only diminish defendant’s character before the jury,” the court expressed.
Tarana Burke, the founder of #MeToo, responded to the overturning of Weinstein’s conviction by declaring it a “clarion call” for the movement.
At a press conference on Thursday, Burke, aged 50, stated that the court’s decision was “not a blow” to the #MeToo movement. She reflected on the implications of the original verdict and the disappointment it brought.
“Many people, many survivors and those who love and support survivors probably thought that that original verdict meant that there was going to be a change, that it marked a change, marked a difference in how this justice system was going to move and operate,” she said.
“And I think that we felt, and a lot of us felt, that we were on a road to seeing a different America. And this moment makes it feel like we were wrong.”
She continued, “What does this mean for the MeToo movement? I want you to hear this. This is not a blow to the movement. It is a clarion call. And we are prepared to answer that call.”
In 2017, allegations against Harvey Weinstein, the once-dominant film producer behind hits like “Pulp Fiction” and “Shakespeare In Love,” sparked the global #MeToo movement. Women worldwide began sharing their personal stories of sexual assault, drawing significant attention to the issue.
Following his 2020 conviction, Weinstein received an additional 16-year sentence in 2022 after being found guilty in Los Angeles, a decision his legal team is currently appealing.
Louisette Geiss expressed her satisfaction with the outcome in California, stating, “It made me happy that we fought the good fight here in California and that he has 16 years to spend a year in prison in California… I hope that this one stays because he definitely deserves at least 16 years.”
Arthur Aidala, Weinstein’s attorney, described the Court of Appeal’s ruling as a significant victory. “It may sound like an exaggeration but it’s not. Today’s legal ruling is a great day for America because it instills in us the faith that there is a justice system,” he declared during a press conference on Thursday.
A spokesperson from the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office emphasized their dedication to pursuing justice, saying, “We will do everything in our power to retry this case, and remain steadfast in our commitment to survivors of sexual assault.”
Despite the recent court ruling, Weinstein remains incarcerated due to his 2022 conviction in Los Angeles for another rape, resulting in a 16-year sentence.
Weinstein has consistently claimed innocence regarding the charges of criminal sex acts involving forced oral sex on a TV and film production assistant in 2006 and rape in the third degree of an aspiring actress in 2013, asserting that any sexual encounters were consensual.
His spokesperson, Juda Engelmayer, commented on the future prospects, “Harvey has a long road ahead of him, and we see this as a positive sign going forward.” He added, “We are cautiously excited for the decision, and believe it is a long time overdue.”
Also Read, Jon Bon Jovi Reflects on 35 Years of Marriage and the Challenges of Balancing Fame and Family
Living Large at Coachella: No Doubt and Blake Shelton Transform Festival Into Luxe Family Getaway
Bookmark and Follow us for More Entertainment News
