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CBC
30-04-2025
- Entertainment
- CBC
Weinstein accuser tells jury about alleged sexual assault: 'The unthinkable was happening'
Social Sharing WARNING: This article may affect those who have experienced sexual violence or know someone affected by it. A former TV production assistant told a jury Wednesday that Harvey Weinstein held her down on a bed and forced oral sex on her after she told him: "No, no — it's not going to happen." Dabbing her eyes, Miriam Haley recalled what ran through her mind during the alleged July 2006 assault: "The unthinkable was happening, I just thought any unthinkable thing could happen. I just didn't know where it ended." Weinstein, sitting between his lawyers, shook his head as she spoke. Haley, who has also gone by the name Mimi Haleyi, is the first of the ex-Hollywood honcho's accusers to testify at his rape retrial. It's happening because New York's highest court overturned Weinstein's 2020 conviction. The 73-year-old former studio boss has pleaded not guilty and denies sexually assaulting anyone. Haley testified at the original trial and was candid last year about her mixed feelings about repeating the experience. Weinstein's attorneys haven't yet had their chance to question her and potentially try to poke holes in her account. But the defence has sought vigorously — if often unsuccessfully — to rein in the scope of Haley's testimony by objecting to prosecutors' questions, such as multiple queries about whether she had any sexual interest in Weinstein. Haley said she did not. The defence has argued that all of Weinstein's accusers consented to sexual encounters with him in hopes of getting work in show business. Weinstein facing new and old charges Haley began her testimony Tuesday by describing how she got to know Weinstein, briefly worked as a production assistant on his company's reality show Project Runway in June 2006 and had a series of interactions with him that were sometimes inappropriate and suggestive, but other times professional and polite. Two months before she says he assaulted her at his Manhattan apartment, Haley said she went to Weinstein's hotel room to speak about potential jobs in the movie and TV business. He "quickly started talking about other things," she told jurors on Tuesday. He commented on her legs and suggested they give each other massages, Haley said. She refused his advances and says she burst into tears as soon as she left. "I felt taken aback. I felt humiliated," she testified. "It was just kind of like a sinking feeling that he wasn't taking me seriously at all." Throughout their encounters, Haley said, she was only looking for professional opportunity — not sex or romance — with the then-powerful producer of such Oscar winners as Shakespeare in Love and Gangs of New York. Weinstein's retrial includes charges based on allegations from Haley and another accuser from the original trial, Jessica Mann, who was once an aspiring actor. She alleges that Weinstein raped her in 2013. He's also being tried, for the first time, on an allegation of forcing oral sex on former model Kaja Sokola in 2006. Her claim wasn't part of the first trial. Mann and Sokola also are expected to testify at some point. The Associated Press generally does not name people who allege they have been sexually assaulted unless they give permission for their names to be used. Haley, Mann and Sokola have done so.
Irish Independent
30-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
First accuser resumes giving evidence in Harvey Weinstein's rape retrial
©Associated Press A former TV production assistant has resumed giving evidence at Harvey Weinstein's retrial, elaborating on the weeks leading up to the July 2006 date when he allegedly forced oral sex on her. Miriam Haley is the first of the ex-Hollywood honcho's accusers to give evidence at the retrial, which is happening because New York's highest court overturned Weinstein's 2020 conviction. Register for free to read this story Register and create a profile to get access to our free stories. You'll also unlock more free stories each week.
South Wales Guardian
30-04-2025
- Entertainment
- South Wales Guardian
First accuser resumes giving evidence in Harvey Weinstein's rape retrial
Miriam Haley is the first of the ex-Hollywood honcho's accusers to give evidence at the retrial, which is happening because New York's highest court overturned Weinstein's 2020 conviction. The former TV production assistant told a jury on Wednesday that Weinstein held her down on a bed and forced oral sex on her after she told him: 'No, no — it's not going to happen.' Dabbing her eyes, Ms Haley recalled what ran through her mind during the alleged assault in July 2006: 'The unthinkable was happening, I just thought any unthinkable thing could happen. I just didn't know where it ended.' Weinstein, sitting between his lawyers, shook his head as she spoke. The 73-year-old former studio boss has pleaded not guilty and denies sexually assaulting anyone. Ms Haley gave evidence at the original trial and was candid last year about her mixed feelings about repeating the experience. Weinstein's lawyers have not yet had their chance to question her and potentially try to poke holes in her account. But the defence has sought vigorously — if often unsuccessfully — to rein in the scope of Ms Haley's evidence by objecting to prosecutors' questions, such as multiple queries about whether she had any sexual interest in Weinstein. Ms Haley said she did not. The defence has argued that all of Weinstein's accusers consented to sexual encounters with him in hopes of getting work in show business. Ms Haley began giving evidence on Tuesday by describing how she got to know Weinstein. She briefly worked as a production assistant on his company's reality show 'Project Runway' in June 2006 and said she had a series of interactions with him that were sometimes inappropriate and suggestive, but other times professional and polite. Throughout, Ms Haley said, she was only looking for professional opportunity — not sex or romance — with the then-powerful producer of such Oscar winners as 'Shakespeare in Love' and 'Gangs of New York'. Ms Haley, who has also gone by the name Mimi Haleyi, has not yet delved into the alleged sexual assault that underlies one of the charges against Weinstein. Weinstein's retrial includes charges based on allegations from Ms Haley and another accuser from the original trial, Jessica Mann, who was once an aspiring actor. She alleges that Weinstein raped her in 2013. He is also being tried, for the first time, on an allegation of forcing oral sex on former model Kaja Sokola in 2006. Her claim was not part of the first trial. Ms Mann and Ms Sokola also are expected to give evidence at some point. The Associated Press generally does not name people who allege they have been sexually assaulted unless they give permission for their names to be used. Ms Haley, Ms Mann and Ms Sokola have done so.
Toronto Sun
30-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Toronto Sun
Weinstein accuser testifies about alleged 2006 sex assault: 'The unthinkable was happening'
Published Apr 30, 2025 • 2 minute read Miriam Haley, center, an accuser testifying at Harvey Weinstein's rape trial, arrives to the courtroom after a break in New York, Tuesday, April 29, 2025. Photo by Seth Wenig / AP Reviews and recommendations are unbiased and products are independently selected. Postmedia may earn an affiliate commission from purchases made through links on this page. NEW YORK (AP) — A former TV production assistant told a jury Wednesday that Harvey Weinstein held her down on a bed and forced oral sex on her after she told him: 'No, no — it's not going to happen.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account Dabbing her eyes, Miriam Haley recalled what ran through her mind during the alleged July 2006 assault: 'The unthinkable was happening, I just thought any unthinkable thing could happen. I just didn't know where it ended.' Weinstein, sitting between his lawyers, shook his head as she spoke. Haley, who has also gone by the name Mimi Haleyi, is the first of the ex-Hollywood honcho's accusers to testify at his rape retrial. It's happening because New York's highest court overturned Weinstein's 2020 conviction. The 73-year-old former studio boss has pleaded not guilty and denies sexually assaulting anyone. Haley testified at the original trial and was candid last year about her mixed feelings about repeating the experience. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Weinstein's attorneys haven't yet had their chance to question her and potentially try to poke holes in her account. But the defense has sought vigorously — if often unsuccessfully — to rein in the scope of Haley's testimony by objecting to prosecutors' questions, such as multiple queries about whether she had any sexual interest in Weinstein. Haley said she did not. The defense has argued that all of Weinstein's accusers consented to sexual encounters with him in hopes of getting work in show business. Haley began her testimony Tuesday by describing how she got to know Weinstein, briefly worked as a production assistant on his company's reality show 'Project Runway' in June 2006 and had a series of interactions with him that were sometimes inappropriate and suggestive, but other times professional and polite. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Throughout, Haley said, she was only looking for professional opportunity — not sex or romance — with the then-powerful producer of such Oscar winners as 'Shakespeare in Love' and 'Gangs of New York.' Weinstein's retrial includes charges based on allegations from Haley and another accuser from the original trial, Jessica Mann, who was once an aspiring actor. She alleges that Weinstein raped her in 2013. He's also being tried, for the first time, on an allegation of forcing oral sex on former model Kaja Sokola in 2006. Her claim wasn't part of the first trial. Mann and Sokola also are expected to testify at some point. The Associated Press generally does not name people who allege they have been sexually assaulted unless they give permission for their names to be used. Haley, Mann and Sokola have done so. Toronto Maple Leafs Toronto Maple Leafs Canada Columnists Celebrity
BreakingNews.ie
30-04-2025
- Entertainment
- BreakingNews.ie
First accuser resumes giving evidence in Harvey Weinstein's rape retrial
A former TV production assistant has resumed giving evidence at Harvey Weinstein' s retrial, elaborating on the weeks leading up to the July 2006 date when he allegedly forced oral sex on her. Miriam Haley is the first of the ex-Hollywood honcho's accusers to give evidence at the retrial, which is happening because New York's highest court overturned Weinstein's 2020 conviction. Advertisement The 73-year-old former studio boss has pleaded not guilty and denies sexually assaulting anyone. Miriam Haley, centre, an accuser giving evidence at Harvey Weinstein's rape trial, arrives to the courtroom after a break in New York (Seth Wenig/AP) Ms Haley gave evidence at the original trial and was candid last year about her mixed feelings about repeating the experience. Weinstein's lawyers have not yet had their chance to question her and potentially try to poke holes in her account. But the defence has sought vigorously — if often unsuccessfully — to rein in the scope of Ms Haley's evidence by objecting to prosecutors' questions, such as multiple queries about whether she had any sexual interest in Weinstein. Advertisement Ms Haley said she did not. The defence has argued that all of Weinstein's accusers consented to sexual encounters with him in hopes of getting work in show business. Ms Haley began giving evidence on Tuesday by describing how she got to know Weinstein. Harvey Weinstein appears in state court in Manhattan for his retrial in New York (Sarah Yenesel/Pool Photo via AP) She briefly worked as a production assistant on his company's reality show 'Project Runway' in June 2006 and said she had a series of interactions with him that were sometimes inappropriate and suggestive, but other times professional and polite. Advertisement Throughout, Ms Haley said, she was only looking for professional opportunity — not sex or romance — with the then-powerful producer of such Oscar winners as 'Shakespeare in Love' and 'Gangs of New York'. Ms Haley, who has also gone by the name Mimi Haleyi, has not yet delved into the alleged sexual assault that underlies one of the charges against Weinstein. Weinstein's retrial includes charges based on allegations from Ms Haley and another accuser from the original trial, Jessica Mann, who was once an aspiring actor. She alleges that Weinstein raped her in 2013. Advertisement He is also being tried, for the first time, on an allegation of forcing oral sex on former model Kaja Sokola in 2006. Her claim was not part of the first trial. Ms Mann and Ms Sokola also are expected to give evidence at some point. The Associated Press generally does not name people who allege they have been sexually assaulted unless they give permission for their names to be used. Advertisement Ms Haley, Ms Mann and Ms Sokola have done so.
