NewsNational

Actions

Prosecutors to deliver closing arguments in Weinstein trial today

Posted at 5:13 AM, Feb 14, 2020
and last updated 2020-02-14 07:13:48-05

NEW YORK — Prosecutors are giving their closing argument Friday at Harvey Weinstein’s rape trial.

After a lengthy defense closing on Thursday, prosecutors are looking to focus the jury's attention back on the accusers who testified and their harrowing accounts alleging rapes, forced oral sex, groping, masturbation, lewd propositions and casting couch excuses.

Prosecutors must also answer some of the defense's knocks on the case. Chief among them: that the two women Weinstein is charged with attacking were opportunists who willingly latched on to the once-powerful Weinstein and acquiesced to sex with him because they thought it would help their careers.

Weinstein faces four charges of felony predatory sexual assault, each of which carries a maximum sentence of life in prison. He also faces one count each of criminal sexual act in the first degree, first-degree rape and third-degree rape.

Regardless of the outcome of his current trial, Weinstein faces rape charges in Los Angeles, which were filed against him earlier this year.