Harvey Weinstein says sorry to MEN for #MeToo and not victims after 23-year rape sentence
HARVEY Weinstein broke his silence in court on Wednesday to say that he was sorry for all the men going through "this crisis right now" but gave no apology to his victims.
The 68-year-old spoke in court after two of his accusers confronted him with their impact statements to say that he "felt remorse for this situation" but that he was perplexed by how the case unfolded in the #MeToo climate.
In a rambling statement, he said: "We may have different truths, but I have remorse... For all of you and for all the men and women going through this crisis right now in this country.
"I'm totally confused. I think men are confused about these issues.
"I can't stop looking at Jessica and Mimi and hoping something maybe from our old relationship could emerge."
Looking back during the trial at emails he exchanged with his accusers, he said he thought they had a good friendship.
"I'm not going to say these aren't great people. I had wonderful times with these people."
Weinstein had begged for mercy before his sentencing telling the court that he had been through "hell on Earth" and that he was "really trying to be a better person."
He noted that he hadn't seen his three adult children since the allegations publicly surfaced and that he may never see his two youngest children again.
Weinstein acknowledged going to "extraordinary lengths" to hide the affairs he had from his two ex-wives, Eve Chilton and Georgina Chapman.
"They had nothing to do with any of it. I was unfaithful to both and I just can't tell you how bad I feel from that," he said.
Rotunno, who said they would be appealing by July, said the sentence was "too harsh".
The disgraced movie mogul was found guilty for forcibly performing oral sex on his production assistant Mimi Haleyi in 2006 and third-degree rape for the attack on Jessica Mann in 2013.
In the landmark #MeToo case, Weinstein was sentenced to 23 years in prison for sex crimes that ended with his accusers sobbing and hugging each other from the front row of the courtroom.
According to NBC News, the convicted rapist was on his way back to Bellevue Hospital with chest pains after his sentencing.
Weinstein spent multiple days at the hospital with different ailments following his conviction.
Donna Rotunno, Weinstein's attorney suggested that he will now die in prison adding that he "won't see the light of day" after his sentencing.
The shocked mogul, who previously underwent surgery before being shipped off to Rikers Island, was due to be "held overnight for observation," his spokesperson told.
Juda Engelmayer confirmed he will be treated at Bellevue for “ongoing heart problems” and “a complication related to his back surgery."
“We are incredibly appreciative of the level of care and attention the NYC Dept. of Corrections is showing regarding Mr. Weinstein’s medical condition,” Engelmayer said.
Before his second hospital stint, Weinstein left the court in a wheelchair to be taken to New York’s maximum-security Downstate Correctional Facility - where he faces dying behind bars.
VICTIMS' RELIEF
His victims Jessica Mann and Miriam Haleyi hugged as four other women who testified against Weinstein sat watching in court.
The fallen mogul failed to apologize to them, instead of attacking the #MeToo movement spawned by complaints against him since 2017.
It saw more than 90 women, including actresses Gwyneth Paltrow and Salma Hayek, accuse him of sexual offenses.
'LIFE SENTENCE'
Weinstein's legal team had asked for the minimum five-year term and he looked blank as a judge announced his 23-year term — which his lawyers say is a life sentence.
Outside court, his lawyer Donna Rotunno, below, said the judge had “caved”, adding: “Judge Burke was already prepared to say and do what he did today. Mr. Weinstein never had a fair shake.”
She said Shakespeare In Love producer Weinstein had not apologized as he would be launching an appeal in July.
Prosecutors, who under New York law could present evidence outside the scope of the trial, urged the maximum 29 years.
They gave 16 examples dating from 1978 where Weinstein “trapped women into his exclusive control” to assault them.
Judge James Burke gave Weinstein 20 years for forcibly performing a sex act on Ms. Haleyi, 42, in 2006, and three for third-degree rape against Ms. Mann, 34, in 2013.
He was cleared of first-degree rape and predatory sexual assault.
Production assistant Ms. Haleyi, 42, told the court: “At the time, I thought I was alone in this.
“I believe that if Harvey Weinstein was not convicted by this jury, it would happen again and again and again.
"I am relieved that there are women out there who are safer because he’s not out there.”
Father-of-five Weinstein said he was “confused” by the sentence.
#METOO MOVEMENT
The numerous movement to encourage women to come forward and hold powerful men accountable for their sexual misconduct.
Although Weinstein claimed to "feel it deeply in my heart," he faces extradition to California to face sexual assault charges in Los Angeles.
"No arraignment date has been set. Once a date has been set, our office will notify the public," Los Angeles District Attorney Jackie Lacey told The Sun.
In , Haleyi confronted Weinstein in court on Wednesday morning and broke down into tears talking about the 2006 attack that's scarred her.
Haleyi said she avoids dating because she doesn't want to hurt people, have them feel embarrassed or distance themselves when they find out what happened to her.
“I believe that if Harvey Weinstein was not convicted by this jury, it would happen again and again and again,” she said.
Jessica Mann, a once-aspiring actress Weinstein was convicted of rape in 2013, said: “It takes a very special kind of evil to exploit connections to leverage rape."
“I had to endure his penis raping me on his time,” Mann said. “I wish I had been able to fight him while he raped me.”
She said she was a victim of “rape paralysis” caused by someone “who had every advantage over me."
"Rape is not just one moment of penetration. It is forever," Mann declared. “I ask you to give me the gift of knowing exactly where Harvey is at all times.”
Four other women who testified against Weinstein say side-by-side in the courtroom audience but weren't allowed to speak during the hearing, per state law.
Weinstein, who was convicted on February 24 of first-degree criminal sexual assault and third-degree rape, said his sexual activity was consensual.
Prosecutors didn't ask for a certain number of years in prison for Weinstein but said that he deserves severe punishment to account for allegations dating to the 1970s that didn’t lead to criminal charges.
He will now be transferred from and has been ordered to register as a sex offender.
Weinstein admitted he had been unfaithful after his sentencing, saying: “If I had to do a lot of things over, I would care less about movies and more about my children and my family.”
