NEW YORK _ New York prosecutors on Thursday wrapped up their case against Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, after several accusers detailed their allegations of rape and sexual assault.
"The people rest," said Assistant District Attorney Joan Illuzzi at 11:15 a.m. after calling the last of her 27 witnesses against Weinstein. The trial began with opening statements on Jan. 22, and prosecutors took just over two weeks to make their case against the high-profile defendant.
Weinstein's high-powered defense team, lead by Donna Rotunno, will begin presenting its case Thursday afternoon. The defense lawyer's request for a dismissal was quickly rejected Thursday by Manhattan Supreme Court Justice James Burke.
The prosecution's case hangs on the accounts of the six women who testified about Weinstein's sexual attacks, beginning with the appearance of actress Annabella Sciorra and ending with the account of Lauren Marie Young.
Sciorra, the Emmy-nominated star of "The Sopranos," told the jury that Weinstein raped her inside her Manhattan apartment a quarter-century ago after the two went out for dinner. She recounted how Weinstein pinned her arms above her head and had intercourse with her.
Young recounted a bizarre hotel bathroom encounter in 2013 where Weinstein groped her breast while masturbating after she was invited to discuss a script with the movie maker.
Accusers Mimi Haley and Jessica Mann were at the heart of the case against Weinstein, who faces a sentence of life in prison if convicted of the top charges in his five-count indictment. The 67-year-old producer sat quietly at the defense table as the parade of prosecution witnesses took the stand against him.
Some 90 women have come forward in recent years to accuse Weinstein of inappropriate sexual behavior, including allegations of rape and sexual abuse.
