Lawyer Arthur Aidala representing Harvey Weinstein, the former film tycoon, informed that his client has been admitted to Bellevue Hospital in Manhattan for medical examinations. This follows Weinstein’s transfer back to New York City after a decision by an appeal court to overturn his 2020 sexual assault conviction.
Following his return to the city’s correctional facilities on Friday, Weinstein was swiftly shifted to Bellevue. Aidala asserted his belief that Weinstein’s physical health appears severely compromised, requiring numerous tests. The hospital hasn’t yet responded to the calls and messages seeking confirmation.
The appeal court in New York revoked Weinstein’s conviction on the grounds that the trial judge had sanctioned jurors to view and consider substantial amounts of unrelated evidence against Weinstein. As a result, his 23-year prison term was annulled, and a new trial was sanctioned.
The prosecution team declared their intentions to put Weinstein on trial again for the charges of forcefully engaging in a sexual act with a TV and film production assistant in 2006 and sexually assaulting an up-and-coming actor in 2013.
Weinstein continues to be in custody subsequent to the appeal court judgement due to his 2022 conviction of another sexual assault case in Los Angeles, where he was sentenced to 16 years imprisonment.
Ageing and suffering from a host of ailments such as heart issues, diabetes, sleep apnoea, and vision problems, Weinstein is reportedly physically unwell, though Aidala claims his mental acuity remains sharp.
Weinstein was moved to NYC after the appeal decision, which came on Thursday morning, from a north state prison in less than a day. Aidala added that Weinstein didn’t receive proper treatment during the transfer, lacking food, water, and bathroom breaks.
According to Aidala, Bellevue doctors are conducting an array of medical tests on the 72-year-old before he’s sent back to the Rikers Island correctional centre.
The attorney declared that a rendezvous with Weinstein is arranged for Monday. Further, he expressed his intent to advise a magistrate at Weinstein’s court appearance in Manhattan on Wednesday that a second trial is advisable post Labour Day, which falls on the 2nd of September, as reported by AP.