The New York Court of Appeals overturned Weinstein's conviction on sex crimes against three women due to the erroneously admitted testimony of uncharged prior sexual acts. Prosecutors argued Weinstein used his power to coerce aspiring actresses into sexual encounters for career advancement.
The court found the admission of such testimony as highly prejudicial, with no material non-propensity purpose. The majority opinion highlighted the importance of the rule against propensity evidence to prevent guilty verdicts based on supposition rather than proof.
Weinstein's state of mind to use forcible compulsion was argued to be proved through testimony of women beyond the criminal charges' basis. As a powerful figure in the entertainment industry, Weinstein's abuse of power for sexual favors was alleged to be common knowledge within the film industry.
Weinstein, despite the overturned conviction, remains in prison while the Manhattan district attorney's office considers a potential retrial. The case also involves separate convictions in Los Angeles, where Weinstein was sentenced to 16 years in prison for sex offenses.
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