As the sex abuse retrial of Harvey Weinstein approaches its conclusion, defense attorney Arthur Aidala made a closing argument to the jury emphasizing the accusers’ “reluctance” to participate in sexual encounters as insufficient to substantiate the crime of rape. Aidala’s strategy involved appealing to the juror’s “New York City common sense” to cast doubt on the prosecution’s case. He characterized the pursuit of legal action by the accusers as motivated by personal grievances, suggesting they were attempting to exact revenge after their unsuccessful attempts to forge careers in Hollywood.
For more details on the closing arguments put forth by Weinstein’s defense, visit the New York Law Journal.