logo
Harvey Weinstein judge declares mistrial on rape charge, third sex crimes trial planned

Harvey Weinstein judge declares mistrial on rape charge, third sex crimes trial planned

The Heralda day ago

Weinstein cofounded the Miramax studio, whose hit movies included Academy Award winners as Shakespeare in Love and Pulp Fiction .
Weinstein's downfall began in 2017 and helped spark the #MeToo movement which encouraged women to come forward with allegations of sexual misconduct by powerful men.
A different jury in the Manhattan court found Weinstein guilty in 2020 of raping Mann and sexually assaulting Haley, but New York state's highest court overturned the conviction last year.
More than 100 women have accused Weinstein of misconduct.
Thursday's mistrial came one day after the jury foreman told Farber other jurors were shouting at and threatening him for refusing to change his vote on the rape count.
The foreman did not indicate publicly how he planned to vote, and Farber sent jurors home to cool off.
The prosecution told the 12 jurors in closing arguments on June 3 the evidence showed how Weinstein used his power and influence to trap and abuse women.
The defence countered the accusers lied in the witness box out of spite after their consensual sexual encounters with the Oscar-winning producer failed to result in Hollywood stardom.
Weinstein's eponymous film studio filed for bankruptcy in March 2018, five months after sexual misconduct accusations against him were widely publicised.
Reuters

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Trump official vows to ‘liberate' LA, Democratic US senator handcuffed and taken away
Trump official vows to ‘liberate' LA, Democratic US senator handcuffed and taken away

The Herald

timea day ago

  • The Herald

Trump official vows to ‘liberate' LA, Democratic US senator handcuffed and taken away

The president has defended his decision, saying if he had not done so the city would be in flames. The protests so far have been mostly peaceful, punctuated by incidents of violence and restricted to a few city blocks. "We're going to stay here and build our operations until we make sure we liberate the city of LA," Noem said. LA mayor Karen Bass called on immigration and customs enforcement (ICE) officers to stand down from the intensified series of raids that led to the protests, saying the local economy could be harmed as immigrants stayed home from work and school for fear of being snatched off the streets. "The peace we need to have happen needs to begin in Washington, and we need to stop the raids," Bass told a press conference as guests flanking her broke out in a chant of "Stop the raids". "Peace begins with ICE leaving Los Angeles," said Bass, who nonetheless has imposed a nighttime curfew over one square mile of downtown LA. Bass also expressed support for Padilla who, video showed, was forced to lie on the ground in a corridor outside the press conference room by federal agents, who handcuffed his hands behind his back. The department of homeland security said secret service agents believed Padilla was an "attacker" who did not comply with orders to back away. Padilla met with reporters after the incident and told them: "If this is how the department of homeland security responds to a senator with a question, you can only imagine what they're doing to farmers to cooks to day labourers throughout the LA community and throughout California and throughout the country." Noem said later on X she met with Padilla, and though they disagree on "90% of the topics" and she accused him of "creating a scene", they exchanged phone numbers and agreed to keep talking. "That is the way it should be in this country," Noem said. About 700 marines will be on the streets of the city by Thursday or Friday, the military has said, to support up to 4,000 national guard troops protecting federal property and federal agents, including durinng immigration raids.

Harvey Weinstein judge declares mistrial on rape charge, third sex crimes trial planned
Harvey Weinstein judge declares mistrial on rape charge, third sex crimes trial planned

The Herald

timea day ago

  • The Herald

Harvey Weinstein judge declares mistrial on rape charge, third sex crimes trial planned

Weinstein cofounded the Miramax studio, whose hit movies included Academy Award winners as Shakespeare in Love and Pulp Fiction . Weinstein's downfall began in 2017 and helped spark the #MeToo movement which encouraged women to come forward with allegations of sexual misconduct by powerful men. A different jury in the Manhattan court found Weinstein guilty in 2020 of raping Mann and sexually assaulting Haley, but New York state's highest court overturned the conviction last year. More than 100 women have accused Weinstein of misconduct. Thursday's mistrial came one day after the jury foreman told Farber other jurors were shouting at and threatening him for refusing to change his vote on the rape count. The foreman did not indicate publicly how he planned to vote, and Farber sent jurors home to cool off. The prosecution told the 12 jurors in closing arguments on June 3 the evidence showed how Weinstein used his power and influence to trap and abuse women. The defence countered the accusers lied in the witness box out of spite after their consensual sexual encounters with the Oscar-winning producer failed to result in Hollywood stardom. Weinstein's eponymous film studio filed for bankruptcy in March 2018, five months after sexual misconduct accusations against him were widely publicised. Reuters

Warren Masemola's Tribute Sparks Debate: What Not to Say at a Memorial Service
Warren Masemola's Tribute Sparks Debate: What Not to Say at a Memorial Service

IOL News

time2 days ago

  • IOL News

Warren Masemola's Tribute Sparks Debate: What Not to Say at a Memorial Service

Warren Masemola, who was a close friend to Presley Chweneyagae, speaking on stage during the late actor's funeral. What began as a heartfelt tribute to a fallen friend has turned into a national conversation about grief, boundaries, and respect. Actor Warren Masemola's emotionally raw speech at the memorial service for fellow actor Presley Chweneyagae has sparked debate over what should — and should not — be said at funerals. Held at the Akasia Community Hall in Pretoria, the service was a sombre farewell to Chweneyagae, beloved for his breakout role in the Oscar-winning film Tsotsi. Friends, family, and industry colleagues gathered to honour the life of the 40-year-old actor, who died last week following a short illness. But Masemola's speech quickly took centre stage — and not for the reasons many expected. 'Presley and I fought a lot,' Masemola told the crowd. 'We fought about love, money, families, and children. But we also enjoyed kissing so much.' The unexpected intimacy of the comment was met with stunned silence in the hall, followed by a wave of commentary online. While some praised Masemola for his courage and honesty in revealing the complexities of their friendship, others felt the statement was too personal for a public event. 'This was not the time or place for such a confession,' one social media user wrote. 'Funerals should comfort the living, not shock them.' Another countered, 'Warren was brave — he loved Presley and said so. Why should that be hidden?' The incident has since fueled a broader discussion: What are the unwritten rules of funeral speeches? And how much honesty is too much? Cultural psychologist Dr. Thandi Mokoena told another publication that memorial services require sensitivity and awareness of shared grief. 'These are sacred communal spaces. Emotions run high, and anything said should be measured against the mood of the room, not just the feelings of the speaker,' she explained. 'It's not just about expressing grief; it's also about respecting others who are mourning differently.' Mokoena emphasised that deeply personal revelations — especially those that could be surprising or controversial — might be better reserved for private conversations or tributes outside the memorial context. 'Words at funerals should heal and unite, not complicate or confuse.' This is not the first time public tributes have walked a fine line. Across cultures, mourners are often advised to avoid clichés like 'He's in a better place now,' which may unintentionally cause pain. Similarly, bringing up the deceased's lifestyle, past mistakes, or cause of death is generally discouraged, as it can come off as judgmental or insensitive. 'Sometimes, people feel pressured to say something profound,' said grief counsellor Sello Maduna. 'But the most powerful words at a funeral are often the simplest: 'I'm sorry for your loss,' or 'I'm here for you.'' Chweneyagae's family has not publicly responded to Masemola's speech. Those in attendance say the mood after the tribute shifted noticeably, with some unsure how to process the moment. Nonetheless, the memorial remained a moving celebration of a life that had a profound impact on South African arts and storytelling. As the country reflects on Chweneyagae's legacy and the nature of public mourning, Masemola's tribute stands as a potent reminder: grief may be personal, but a memorial is a shared space — and the words spoken there can either soothe or sting.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store