Miriam Haley, a former television production assistant, once again ascended the witness stand in a Manhattan courtroom on Tuesday afternoon, embarking on a narrative that vividly recounted her allegations of being overpowered and sexually assaulted by Harvey Weinstein in his apartment almost two decades prior. Ms. Haley recounted her initial encounter with the then-powerful Hollywood producer at a film premiere in London in 2004. Years later, she reconnected with him at the Cannes Film Festival, seeking an opportunity as a production assistant in New York.
As Ms. Haley spoke on Tuesday, defense lawyers listened intently, armed with a transcript of her testimony from Weinstein's first trial five years ago, poised to capitalize on any discrepancies in her recounting. Her testimony was eagerly anticipated and closely scrutinized, marking one of the most critical junctures in Weinstein's retrial, which commenced this month.
In 2020, Weinstein was convicted in New York of rape and a criminal sexual act based on the complaints of two women, Ms. Haley being one of them. He was subsequently sentenced to 23 years in prison. However, his conviction was overturned last year, prompting a new trial. In the meantime, prosecutors had added an additional indictment.
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg observed Ms. Haley's testimony on Tuesday. She was not the first witness to revisit the stand. Last week, Ms. Haley's former roommate, Elizabeth Entin, had informed the jurors of a shaken, distraught, and frightened Ms. Haley hovering near her bedroom door, disclosing that Weinstein had "forcibly put his mouth on her vagina without her consent." Entin recounted saying to Ms. Haley, "'Miriam, that sounds like rape. I think you should call a lawyer.'"
As Ms. Haley embarked on her testimony, Prosecutor Nicole Blumberg prompted her to identify Mr. Weinstein. In response, she gestured towards him, seated at the defense table. As her finger pointed, Mr. Weinstein, facing her with his arm draped over the backrest of his wheelchair, cast his gaze downwards, focusing on his left lapel.
Ms. Haley's narrative unfolded publicly, preceding the initial trial by five years. Her allegations emerged at the dawn of the #MeToo movement, as numerous women came forward to recount what they claimed was Mr. Weinstein's repetitive exploitation of his power to coerce sexual encounters with women in Hollywood. This revelation fueled the movement and contributed to his downfall.
For decades, Mr. Weinstein reigned as a producer who had the prowess to make or break careers. He was the mastermind behind acclaimed films like "Pulp Fiction" and "Good Will Hunting," as well as the reality show "Project Runway," where Ms. Haley briefly served as a production assistant.
Mr. Weinstein also faces charges of raping Jessica Mann, an aspiring actress who alleged that he assaulted her in 2013, and Kaja Sokola, a model whom prosecutors claim he attacked in a Manhattan hotel in 2006.
Mr. Weinstein has pled not guilty, with his legal team asserting that all his interactions with the women were consensual. Assistant District Attorney Shannon Lucey elaborated in her opening statement that the producer offered his victims scripts and the promise of fame, which he "used as weapons, leveraging these dream opportunities."
In their opening statements to the jury, Mr. Weinstein's lawyers contended that the women prosecutors labeled as victims had entered into consensual relationships with him, as Mr. Weinstein held the key to fame's doors. Defense lawyer Arthur L. Aidala assured the jurors that he would help them "watch the whole movie."
The details of Ms. Haley's encounters with Mr. Weinstein have been previously outlined in her testimony and prosecutors' statements.
Ms. Haley, who grew up in Sweden, crossed paths with Mr. Weinstein at a movie premiere in London in 2004. Roughly two years later, as she sought new opportunities, she encountered him at Cannes and inquired about positions at the Weinstein Company, his New York-based production firm.
During her stay in France, Mr. Weinstein invited her to a hotel, which Ms. Haley believed was for a business meeting. There, he commented on her legs and requested a massage, she recounted.
On Tuesday, Ms. Haley expressed embarrassment about the interaction. As she departed the hotel, tears streamed down her face. "I felt taken aback, humiliated," she told the jury. "It was a daunting realization that he didn't take me seriously at all."
After securing a role on "Project Runway," produced by Mr. Weinstein's company, his advances persisted, she recounted. She worked for about two to three weeks at the tail end of a season and was paid in cash. Unbeknownst to her, Mr. Weinstein knew she lacked authorization to work in the United States and used this information against her, according to prosecutors.
Throughout the summer of 2006, while Ms. Haley worked for his company, Mr. Weinstein attempted to "elevate" their relationship, Ms. Lucey stated. He even made an unannounced visit to her apartment one day, forcefully entering and insisting she accompany him to Paris.
Ms. Haley refused, she recounted on Tuesday, ultimately saying, "I heard about your reputation with women," hoping it would persuade him to leave. Mr. Weinstein departed, appearing "offended" and upset, she said.
Despite these incidents, Ms. Haley agreed to travel to a film premiere in Los Angeles. On the day in July 2006 when Mr. Weinstein bought her ticket, he invited her to his Lower Manhattan apartment, she recounted.
There, after offering her a drink, he lunged at her, restraining her and pushing her until she tumbled backward onto a bed, she alleged. Ms. Haley recalled informing Mr. Weinstein that she was menstruating, but he removed the tampon and put his mouth on her genitals.
Ms. Haley's testimony was scheduled to resume on Wednesday morning.
