On Thursday, friends of one of Harvey Weinstein's accusers stepped into the witness box, recounting how the woman had confided in them years ago about being sexually assaulted by the former movie mogul. Introducing a fresh dimension to Weinstein's retrial, a witness revealed that she once suggested her friend, Miriam Haley, consider dating the influential film producer, but Haley flatly refused.
"She had absolutely no interest in dating him or engaging in any intimate relationship with him," testified Christine Pressman, painting a picture of Haley as "deeply distressed" when she later disclosed the alleged assault.
Emerging details from the trial hint at a redux, albeit not a carbon copy, of the 2020 proceeding that saw Weinstein initially convicted of rape and sexual assault—a conviction that was later overturned. Pressman, who did not testify during the original trial, was this time brought in by prosecutors to bolster Haley's claims. However, Weinstein's legal team grilled her on whether Haley had voluntarily engaged in a sexual relationship with the Oscar-winning studio head.
"Absolutely not," Pressman asserted firmly.
Haley, who once served as a production assistant on "Project Runway," a television show produced by Weinstein, is among his accusers. The 73-year-old Weinstein continues to maintain his innocence, insisting that he has never sexually assaulted or raped anyone. His legal representatives argue that his accusers consensually engaged in sexual encounters with him in hopes of advancing their careers in the entertainment industry.
Weinstein's image was tarnished in 2017, transforming him from a Hollywood tycoon to a villain of the #MeToo movement, following a spate of public allegations of sexual misconduct. In 2020, he was convicted of raping Jessica Mann, a former aspiring actress, and forcing oral sex on Haley. However, New York's highest court overturned the conviction last year, ruling that the original trial judge had allowed prejudicial testimony.
The retrial now includes an additional charge of forcible oral sex against a different woman, former model Kaja Sokola. Weinstein has pleaded not guilty to all accusations.
Although none of the accusers have testified yet, two of Haley's friends took the stand on Thursday to affirm that she had shared her alleged sexual assault experience with them around July 2006. Elizabeth Entin, Haley's former roommate, recounted how a shaken Haley told her that month that Weinstein had forcibly performed oral sex on her. Echoing her testimony from the first trial, Entin mentioned suggesting that Haley consult a lawyer, but her friend seemed reluctant.
On the other hand, Pressman recounted advising against going to the police when Haley disclosed a similar experience to her in August or September 2006. "I said, 'Harvey Weinstein is the king of New York. He wields immense power. You don't. You're here on a tourist visa. Just let it go,'" recalled the former model, musician, and actor, tearing up as she added that she now realizes her advice was "wrong."
Under scrutiny from Weinstein's lawyer, Jennifer Bonjean, Pressman acknowledged suggesting that Haley date Weinstein sometime before the alleged assault. Pressman later explained that she had been frustrated by her friend's taste in men, whom she described as lanky, intellectual, and "broke." Haley had rejected the idea of dating Weinstein, but Bonjean persisted, asking whether Pressman knew if Haley had consensual sex with him. Pressman emphatically denied it.
During the original trial, Haley testified that she repeatedly said "no, no, no" during the alleged assault. A few weeks later, she didn't protest when Weinstein pulled her towards a bed and had sex with her, explaining that she simply "went numb." After the jurors adjourned for the day, Weinstein's lawyers sought a mistrial, arguing that Pressman's testimony was prejudicial. Their request was denied by Judge Curtis Farber, who is presiding over the case.
While there are numerous similarities to the first trial, there are also bound to be numerous changes. Entin was questioned about her statements and writings regarding the first trial itself, such as describing her participation as her "15 minutes of fame," which she clarified was a joke.
She was not asked about a recollection that provided a rare moment of levity during the first trial—when she recounted how Weinstein unexpectedly visited the apartment she shared with Haley and was chased around by her pet Chihuahua. Farber had previously indicated that he didn't consider Entin's description of the alleged incident relevant to the trial.
