Harvey Weinstein, 67, was sentenced to 23 years in prison Wednesday in a New York courtroom in a case that fueled the global #MeToo movement and encouraged women to speak out against sexual abuse.
“I really feel remorse for this situation,” Weinstein said.”I feel it deeply in my heart. I will spend my time really caring and really trying to be a better person.”
“I’m not going to say that these aren’t great people,” he also said of his accusers. “I’ve had wonderful times with these people.”
Judge James Burke sentenced him to 20 years in prison for first-degree criminal sexual act and three years in prison for third-degree rape. The sentences will run consecutively and both come with five years of supervision after release, and Weinstein also must register as a sex offender.
“This is a first conviction, but it is not a first offense,” Burke said.
Weinstein’s defense attorneys had asked that he be sentenced to five years in prison and argued that, given his frail health, anything longer would constitute a de facto life sentence.
Weinstein was acquitted of two more serious charges of predatory sexual assault, which could have come with a life sentence.
He has been in state custody since the verdict and has had several health issues. He had a heart procedure last week during which doctors inserted a stent, and on Sunday he fell while at Rikers Island jail.
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