Mel Gibson.Photo: Randy Shropshire/Getty Images
Mel Gibsonwill be permitted to testify in support of his masseuse and friend at the upcoming rape and sexual assault trial ofHarvey Weinstein, a judge ruled Friday.
Harvey Weinstein in 2016.Andreas Rentz/Getty
While the witness list for the trial is sealed, the AP reports that Gibson is the best-known name to perhaps be called to appear in the Los Angeles Superior Court. Weinstein’s legal team argued that Gibson sharing what he learned from the woman does not equate to a “fresh complaint” under California law, which allows evidence of sexual assault to be introduced if a report was shared promptly and voluntarily after it happened. The judge disagreed, saying that she would allow Gibson to testify if other witnesses will have testified in the manner that prosecutors say they expect.
During a massage, when Gibson brought up Weinstein, prosecutors say the woman responded traumatically. Gibson does not remember when the exchange happened, per the AP, but another witness, Allison Weiner, remembered speaking to Gibson and the woman in 2015. Judge Lench may yet choose to rule against Gibson taking the stand, depending on how the woman describes her conversation with him.
The judge also determined that a conversation around Gibson’s previous antisemitic and racist remarks would not be relevant to the trial after Weinstein attorney Mark Werksman said the defense should have the chance to cross-examine him.
“Any evidence of Mr. Gibson’s racism or antisemitism would give rise to a bias against my client, who challenged him,” Werksman said, pointing to Gibson’s depiction of Jewish people in his 2004 filmThe Passion of the Christ. However, the prosecution argued that Gibson wanting to get into a business deal around the time of his alleged conversation with the accuser would suggest otherwise.
Weinstein, who is currently serving a23-year sentencefor a 2020 conviction for rape and sexual assault in New York, was granted an appeal this August in the New York State of Appeals. His Los Angeles trial is expected to last eight weeks, with jury selection beginning Monday and opening statements taking place on Oct. 24.
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In June, Weinsteinfaced additional chargesin London for indecent assault, an incident that allegedly happened in August 2016.
If you or someone you know has been a victim of sexual abuse, text “STRENGTH” to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 to be connected to a certified crisis counselor.
source: people.com
