Letter to Judge Demands Limits on Public Statements
Prosecutors in the upcoming retrial of Harvey Weinstein are accusing his defense team of witness intimidation. In a letter sent to the presiding judge on Thursday, they claim public comments made by defense attorney Arthur Aidala were intended to discourage a potential witness from coming forward.
Defense Statements Criticized, Judge Urged to Intervene
The Manhattan District Attorney’s office specifically criticized comments made by Aidala outside of court on May 1st. Their letter to Justice Curtis Farber requests that the judge instruct the defense team to refrain from “making public statements discussing or disparaging potential witnesses in the future.”
Weinstein’s Overturned Conviction and Upcoming Retrial
The #MeToo case against Weinstein resulted in his conviction for rape in 2020. However, New York’s highest court overturned that verdict last month, citing unfair inclusion of certain witness testimonies. Weinstein, who maintains his innocence, will face retrial on charges including rape and sexual assault.
Prosecutors Allege Ethical Violations by Defense
Assistant District Attorney Nicole Blumberg’s letter accuses Aidala of violating professional conduct rules and “knowingly disregarding his professional and ethical obligations.” This raises concerns about potential tactics employed by the defense in the upcoming retrial.
