NEW YORK — Testimony in Harvey Weinstein’s rape retrial took an emotional turn as one of his accusers, Miriam Haley, expressed her anguish while defending her account of an alleged assault nearly 20 years ago. On the witness stand, the 48-year-old broke down, asserting, “He was the one who raped me, not the other way around,” as defense attorney Jennifer Bonjean challenged her recollection of events.
Haley’s emotional testimony marks her fourth day in court, where she has recounted an ordeal that she claims began when Weinstein invited her to his apartment. Struggling to retell her experience, she expressed frustration at the disbelief surrounding her claims. The presiding Judge Curtis Farber temporarily halted the proceedings to allow jurors a break as Haley visibly struggled under the weight of her memories.
When questioning resumed, Haley was resolute but had moments of clear distress. The tension escalated in the courtroom, prompting Judge Farber to reprimand both Haley and Bonjean for their contentious exchanges. He indicated that it was the first time in over a decade he felt the need to use his gavel during court proceedings.
Weinstein, who is facing charges related to multiple women, including Haley, has consistently denied any wrongdoing. His defense argues that his interactions with his accusers were consensual, portraying him as a powerful figure who could advance their careers.
Haley, known in the entertainment industry under the name Mimi Haleyi, alleged that Weinstein assaulted her after a professional encounter. She indicated that after a brief stint as a production assistant on the show “Project Runway,” and upon being invited to his apartment, she found herself in a situation that would change her life forever. She described how Weinstein allegedly forced her onto a bed and held her down, despite her pleading for him to stop.
Eyewitness accounts from her friends confirmed that she disclosed the assault shortly after the incident took place. Haley has maintained that she never sought a romantic relationship with Weinstein and was only interested in leveraging his influence for professional gain.
As Bonjean questioned Haley’s actions leading up to the alleged assault, the former production assistant expressed her discomfort with the situation. She recounted feeling compelled to accept Weinstein’s invitation to his loft, given his company had arranged a flight for her to attend a movie premiere the following day.
The analysis of her response during cross-examination revealed a complicated narrative wherein she noted that while she had interaction with Weinstein afterward, that did not alter the fact that she was assaulted. “The other stuff is neither here nor there. It doesn’t mean that I wasn’t sexually assaulted,” she insisted.
When pressed about subsequent encounters with Weinstein, including a later incident in a hotel room, Haley explained, “I went numb,” underscoring the lasting impact of the traumatic experience. Despite admitting continued contact with him in the years after the assault, her assertion remained clear that these interactions didn’t change the reality of what happened.
The courtroom drama unfolds as Weinstein faces a retrial following an earlier conviction that was overturned on appeal. The stakes remain profoundly high not only for the accused but also for those seeking justice in a landscape marred by issues of power dynamics and sexual misconduct.
Haley’s testimony, along with that of other accusers set to appear, is expected to play a pivotal role in a case that continues to underscore the complexities surrounding allegations of sexual assault within the entertainment industry.