Actress, author and activist Rose McGowan has celebrated Harvey Weinstein’s conviction after the disgraced Hollywood mogul was found guilty on two counts in a landmark rape trial today in New York City.
McGowan – who had previously accused Weinstein of sexually assaulting her in the 90s – said he will finally know how it feels to have ‘power wrapped around his neck’ as she joined other accusers in sharing messages on social media.
The 67-year-old went on trial in early January facing five charges of rape and sexual assault, all of which he pleaded not guilty to.
And today, a jury of seven men and five women found the disgraced producer guilty on the fifth day of deliberations.
The disgraced mogul has been convicted on two out of five counts – criminal sexual act in the first degree and rape in the third degree.
The jury found Weinstein not guilty on the most serious charge, predatory sexual assault, which could have resulted in a life sentence for the former Hollywood producer.
A judge ordered Weinstein to be jailed immediately after his conviction. He’ll remain in custody until his 11 March sentencing. He faces up to 29 years in prison.
McGowan, who one of the earliest – and most prominent – of Weinstein’s accusers, wrote on social media: ‘Today is a powerful day.
‘And a huge step forward in collective healing.’
She added in a conference call, according to Variety, alongside more than 20 women known as the ‘silence breakers’ amid the Weinstein allegations: ‘20 years ago I decided to come after Weinstein because I’d heard about him doing this to someone else, and then I heard him doing it to someone else, and someone else.
Today is a powerful day & a huge step forward in our collective healing
— rose mcgowan (@rosemcgowan) February 24, 2020
‘Every one of us who has come forward, we have a name, we have a history, we have a life, we are more than Weinstein. But today, because of the brave women, who bared their deepest hurt for the world to see, he’s in Rikers Island.
‘For once he won’t be sitting comfortably. For once he will know what it’s like to have power wrapped around his neck. Today is not a referendum on #MeToo, this is taking out the trash.’
Mira Sorvino, who had earlier posted on social media, added: ‘The era of impunity for powerful men who rape people is over.
‘He will rot in jail as he deserves and we will begin to have some closure.’
The beginning of #justice. More to come, my sisters. #weinsteinguilty
— Mira Sorvino (@MiraSorvino) February 24, 2020
Weinstein was convicted on charges stemming from a 2006 sexual assault and a 2013 rape. However the jury found Weinstein not guilty on the most serious charge, predatory sexual assault, that could have resulted in a life sentence.
Weinstein faces between five and 29 years in prison, the Manhattan District Attorney said, with sentencing on 11 March
McGowan, who alleges she was assaulted by Weinstein in the 1990s, praised the other women who came forward and said she wanted to cause a ‘massive cultural reset’.
She said: ‘We achieved that already with what happened but today the trashman came.
‘He said to all the little girls and little boys who get hurt in this world, some day maybe you too can have a voice.’
She added: ‘I believe we can be better as a world, as people, as humans. Today is one more step forward in that direction.’
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