NEW YORK (AP) — One of
Harvey Weinstein
On Friday, one of his accusers became emotional and used profanity on the witness stand when a defense attorney challenged her description of how the ex-Hollywood producer coerced her into performing oral sex.
nearly two decades ago
.
“He was the person who assaulted me; it wasn’t mutual,” Miriam Haley stated to the jury members.
“That decision rests with the jury,” replied Jennifer Bonjean, who represents Weinstein.
“No, this isn’t something the jury needs to determine. This comes from my own experiences. He did that to me,” Haley stated, cursing profusely as tears started rolling down her cheeks.
Judge Curtis Farber stopped the questioning and dismissed the jurors for a break. With reddened eyes and a glistening face, Haley refrained from looking at Weinstein as she exited the witness stand.
Haley, who is 48 years old, continued her testimony for a fourth consecutive day at Weinstein’s rape trial. The questioning restarted following the break; she appeared calm yet occasionally showed signs of frustration through her tone.
By mid-afternoon, the judge became exasperated with constant bickering and irrelevant remarks from Haley and the lawyer. At one instance, Farber slammed his fist on the bench, and later he rapped his gavel, admonishing them: “Behave yourselves, both of you.”
Farber subsequently mentioned that this was the first occasion in 13 years that he had utilized the gavel.
Weinstein faces charges of sexual assault involving Haley and another individual, Kaja Sokola, as well as rape allegations against a third person, Jessica Mann. Both Mann and Sokola are anticipated to provide testimony.
Weinstein refutes these claims. His legal team contends that his alleged victims engaged willingly with an influential film mogul who had the ability to boost their professional prospects.
Haley, previously known as Mimi Haleyi, is the first person to take the stand as a witness in this case.
retrial
, which occurs following an appeals court decision
overturned Weinstein’s conviction
At a previous hearing, Haley’s testimony during the 2020 trial lasted only one day.
Haley
alleges that Weinstein
He attacked her following an invitation for her to visit his flat. Previously, she had served as a short-term production assistant on the television series “Project Runway,” which was produced by Weinstein. His firm had arranged for her to fly to Los Angeles the subsequent day to go to a film opening night.
Earlier this week, she recounted that Weinstein cornered her in a bedroom, forcing her onto the bed. Despite her attempts to stand up and protest with “No, no — it won’t happen,” he continued to hold her down.
Haley and
two of her friends
she stated that she informed them shortly thereafter that Weinstein had sexually assaulted her. She insists that she never sought any sexual or romantic involvement with Weinstein yet still desired his professional assistance.
Weinstein, who is 73 years old, listened intently with his hands pressed against his chin as Haley reaffirmed that she never harbored any romantic interest in him and was not interested in having any sexual encounters with him.
Bonjean wondered why Haley agreed to visit Weinstein’s apartment despite feeling uncomfortable with some of his previous actions, such as when she said he forcefully entered her house while trying to convince her to accompany him to Paris.
Haley mentioned that she felt it would be “strange” to turn down the invite to his Manhattan apartment, considering his firm had covered her ticket for the Los Angeles trip scheduled for the following day.
Haley became visibly upset when questioned about how her garments were removed prior to Weinstein reportedly pulling out a tampon and performing oral sex on her. Haley mentioned that Weinstein undressed her, but she couldn’t provide specifics: “I was preoccupied with trying to resist,” she stated.
“Did you take off your clothes?” Bonjean quickly followed up, prompting Haley’s emotional and sharp reply.
Subsequently, Bonjean kept pressing her regarding the claimed assault from July 2006 and what followed. This included an occasion a few weeks afterward when Haley stated that she engaged in sexual activity with Weinstein but did not resist even though she was unwilling.
“Didn’t you say, ‘Hey, what you did to me the other night was not okay?’” Bonjean questioned.
“No,” replied Haley, emphasizing again that she “became numb” during the incident at the hotel.
Haley maintained intermittent communication with Weinstein over approximately three years following their interactions, as stated in testimonies and documented evidence. During this period, she occasionally sought employment opportunities from him, requested premier tickets, and solicited financial support for her planned web television series.
“The other details are irrelevant. They don’t imply that I was not sexually assaulted,” Haley stated.
Bonjean also asked her about her ongoing communications with Weinstein and his team, her numerous trips, and her well-known associates during that period, as well as about her year 2020.
lawsuit against Weinstein
It concluded with a settlement of $475,000.
The Associated Press typically refrains from identifying individuals who claim to have experienced sexual assault unless those individuals consent to being named. Haley, Mann, and Sokola have chosen to be identified.
Michael R. Sisak and Jennifer Peltz from The Associated Press
