Harvey Weinstein was transferred to a New York hospital after a judge approved the former boss in difficulty to stay there rather than in prison when he is not in court for his new trial on accusations of rape and sexual assault.
The judge, Paul Goetz, ordered at the end Thursday that Weinstein, 73, was immediately relocated to the famous prison complex of Rikers Island of the city in the service of the Bellevue Hospital in Manhattan so that he can receive the necessary medical treatment.
Weinstein’s lawyers were pressure for the move while selection of the jury started this week. They argued in court documents that being locked up in a sometimes icy prison cell exacerbated the health problems of the film magnate in disgrace, which include chronic myeloid leukemia, diabetes and walking difficulties that require a wheelchair to enter and get out of the courtyard.
Goetz’s order will remain in force at least up to a hearing next Thursday.
Another judge, Curtis Farber, chairs the new Weinstein trial. The case will resume on Monday with more selection of the jury after nine jurors were chosen this week. In all, 12 jurors and six substitutes must be seated.
Weinstein is again tried for rape and accusations of sexual assault after the highest New York Court, the court of appeal, last year canceled his conviction in 2020 and his sentence of 23 years in prison and ordered a new trial, concluding that inappropriate decisions and prejudicial testimonies hindered that of origin.
Weinstein pleaded not guilty and denies having raped or sexually assaulted anyone.
He has been back and forth several times in Bellevue in recent months for the treatment of various diseases.
Weinstein lawyers made a legal complaint against New York last November, alleging that he received lower quality medical treatment under non -hygienic conditions at Rikers. The complaint, which requires $ 5 million in damages, argues that Weinstein was sent back to Rikers each time before going back to hospital.
The prison complex in difficulty faced a meticulous examination for its ill -treatment of detainees and dangerous conditions. Last year, a federal judge paved the way for a possible federal takeover, concluding that the city had placed the prisoners in an “unconstitutional danger”.
