Harvey Weinstein to Remain in New York Jail

NEW YORK (AP) — Harvey Weinstein will continue to be held in custody in New York as he awaits a retrial on rape and sexual assault charges, prosecutors confirmed on Monday. This decision follows Weinstein's brief court appearance regarding California's request for his extradition. Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz stated that Weinstein will remain in New York until his case is resolved, after which he will return to California to serve a 16-year sentence stemming from a separate rape conviction. Weinstein, who has consistently denied the allegations against him, was convicted in Los Angeles in 2022 while already serving a 23-year sentence in New York. His previous conviction in Manhattan was overturned earlier this year by the state’s highest court, which found that the trial judge had improperly allowed testimony related to allegations not included in the case. The retrial in Manhattan is tentatively set for November. During a brief court appearance in Queens, Weinstein, 72, was seen in a wheelchair, handcuffed, and holding a book and magazine. His lawyers agreed that he would remain at the Rikers Island jail complex, where he returned after a hospitalization for health issues, including COVID-19 and pneumonia. The extradition proceedings are being handled in Queens due to the court's proximity to Rikers. Prosecutors in Manhattan have indicated plans to bring new sexual assault charges against Weinstein, although they have not provided specific details or a timeline. Weinstein's attorney, Arthur Aidala, raised concerns about the strength of the current case in light of the mention of new accusers.