This archive report was first published on 6 January 2020.
Published on January 6, 2020, a Los Angeles County grand jury indicted Harvey Weinstein on rape charges, marking a new development in the ongoing case against the Hollywood producer.
Ms. Evans, a key witness in the Manhattan case, had previously testified that she had never consented to any sexual activity with Weinstein. Detective DiGaudio, who was removed from the case, denied withholding information from prosecutors.
Justice Burke ruled that Weinstein's lawyers could not call Detective DiGaudio as a witness, but they could cross-examine other witnesses about his work on the case.
‘My ruling is that the defense may not call Detective DiGaudio on their case which is not to say they may not vigorously cross-examine a witness about their dealings with him,’ Justice Burke said.
Los Angeles County District Attorney Jackie Lacey announced that eight women had come forward to report being sexually assaulted by Weinstein in Los Angeles County. Charges had been brought in two instances, but three allegations were too old to prosecute under the state's statute of limitations.
Ms. Lacey commended the victims who had come forward, saying, ‘I want to commend the victims who have come forward and bravely recounted what happened to them.’
More than 80 women, including several well-known actresses, have accused Weinstein of sexual misconduct, ranging from unwanted touching and harassment to outright sexual assault.
Weinstein recently reached a tentative $25 million civil settlement with dozens of his accusers, but it would not require him to admit wrongdoing or pay anything himself.
