Harvey Weinstein victim Miriam Haley left a Manhattan courtroom after a 20-year battle Wednesday when the disgraced movie mogul was sentenced to a decade and a half behind bars for her sexual assault.
The 74-year-old convicted sex offender was confined to a wheelchair and remained unresponsive as the sentence of 15 years in state prison was handed down, even as prosecutors charged that he has not shown “an ounce of guilt.”
The assault unfolded inside Haley’s apartment in 2006, for which he was convicted in 2020 and sentenced to 23 years behind bars. That was overturned in 2024, but Haley kept fighting. She marked the only “MeToo” victim of Weinstein who testified twice.
“This being so public, for this having gone on for so long, it’s been really, really tough,” Haley said following the sentencing. “It’s a really tough thing to do. I have to say, and I thought of not doing it many times. I thought of pulling out.”
But Haley did not call it quits; she stayed the course and told journalists outside 100 Center Street on Wednesday afternoon that she believes this part of her life is finally over and she can move on.
“It doesn’t go away. It’s happened, and it’s gonna stay with me to some degree, but I expect that this is the last time I’m here doing this, and that I can just move on with my life,” Haley said, eyes welling as she looked to the sky.
Haley didn’t face the courtroom alone, however. Fellow Weinstein accuser Jessica Mann sat in the pews to witness the sentencing. Mann said that Weinstein allegedly raped her inside a Midtown Manhattan hotel room in March 2013. She stated that despite his advances, he overpowered and assaulted her. Mann was seen leaving the courtroom in tears after the judge handed down the sentence.
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg also attended the sentencing and said the day was about the courage of those like Haley and Mann.
“Today was about the survivors. Ms. Haley, her remarks were powerful, moving, and eloquent. I thank her first and foremost, and all of the survivors who came to lend their support. I’m moved, as we should all be moved, by their courage and their steadfastness through what has obviously been a challenging process,” Bragg said.
In Haley’s case, the former movie bigwig was accused of harassing her online and even blaming her. In the courtroom, Weinstein said he felt remorse for her but continued to deny his guilt.
Haley’s attorney, Gloria Allred, called her pursuit of Justice a “trial by fire.”
“In other words, Mimi underwent a trial by fire twice, and prevailed both times, unlike any other person in the “MeToo” movement. Mimi is a true hero. She has survived all attempts both inside and outside of court to discredit her or question her motives,” Allred said. “To describe Mimi as courageous is an understatement. She faced her fears and overcame them.”
Like the prosecutors, Haley said she believes that despite all his legal woes, Weinstein is not sorry for his actions.
“I think he still feels entitled, and that’s part of the problem. You know, I think that unfortunately he has this, in my opinion, delusional sense,” Haley said. “I think that he is not at all acknowledging what he even did.”
Outside the courthouse, Haley and Allred took each other by the hands and raised their arms in victory.
