Academy Award-winning filmmaker Mel Gibson will be allowed to testify during Harvey Weinstein’s trial, a judge ruled this week. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Judge Lisa B. Lench ruled in Los Angeles Superior Court that Gibson can testify on behalf of the masseuse and her friend, known as Jane Doe #3, during the trial.
Judge Orders Mel Gibson Can Testify During Harvey Weinstein Trial
Judge Lench ruled this week that Gibson will be able to testify about what he learned from one of Weinstein’s accusers. His name was revealed during a motion regarding evidence to be allowed at Weinstein’s upcoming trial in Los Angeles. The film producer who disgraced Weinstein is now accused of multiple counts of rape and sexual assault.
THR reports that after a break from jury selection, lawyers and judges for the case are deciding what evidence will be allowed into the trial and which witnesses will be allowed to testify. The final witness list has reportedly been sealed.
According to the ruling, Gibson can testify in support of one of Weinstein’s accusers, Jane Doe #3, during the trial. Weinstein faces charges of sexual battery by restraining Doe #3. Weinstein has pleaded not guilty and denied any non-consensual activity with the alleged victim.
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Weinstein’s lawyers tried to argue against Gibson’s testimony, saying what he heard from the woman while getting massages from her was not considered a “new complaint” by law that would have allowed Gibson to take the stand at trial. Under California law, a “new complaint” is the introduction of evidence of a sexual assault or other crime if the victim reported it to another person voluntarily and some time after it occurred.
However, prosecutors said when Gibson brought up Weinstein’s name to the alleged victim, she had a “traumatic reaction”, and Gibson understood from her that she had been sexually assaulted by Weinstein. According to the report, Gibson did not remember when the exchange took place, but another prosecution witness, Allison Weiner, said she remembered talking to Gibson and the woman about the act in 2015.
THR reports that Judge Lunch ruled that Gibson’s testimony will depend on how Weinstein’s accuser describes the exchange with Gibson when he takes the stand. Additionally, Judge Lench noted that he may have chosen to oppose it at that time.
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During the trial motion, Weinstein’s attorney Mark Werksman argued that if Gibson takes the stand at trial, the defense should be given the ability to cross-examine Gibson regarding his well-known and widely publicized antisemitic remarks when he was arrested in 2006, along with racially charged statements he made. to his girlfriend which was recorded and leaked to the media in 2010.
However, Judge Lench reportedly denied the motion, stating that discussions of Gibson’s racism were irrelevant to the Weinstein trial. However, Judge Lench ruled that cross-examination would be allowed into whether Gibson had personal bias and animosity toward Weinstein.
Lench said the broader discussion of Gibson’s racism was irrelevant to the trial, but he would allow questioning about whether he had a personal bias against Weinstein. Werksman tried to argue that Gibson had a personal animosity toward Weinstein because of his Judaism and that Weinstein had previously published a book criticizing the portrayal of Jews in Gibson’s 2004 film, “The Passion of the Christ.”
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During the motion, Werksman also mistakenly said he thought the film won Best Picture at the Academy Awards, where Weinstein was seen shaking his head at the defense table. Werksman later corrected himself and apologized, referring to “The Passion of the Christ” as “an award-winning film.”
“The Passion of the Christ” was a huge success at the box office, grossing $370 million domestically and $612 million worldwide. It received Academy Award nominations for Best Cinematography, Best Score and Best Makeup. However, it didn’t win in any of those categories.
Weinstein’s defense team also reportedly argued that Mel Gibson was trying to whitewash his image by focusing on Weinstein’s misconduct and portraying himself as a champion of the #MeToo movement. In response, the prosecution team stated that Gibson did not make any such statement on his behalf, and that his conversation with his masseuse was because he was talking about a business deal with Weinstein, suggesting he was not biased against him.
Meanwhile, Deputy District Attorney Marlene Martinez stated that while Gibson’s previous comments were “vile,” they had no relevance for the purposes of her testimony on behalf of Jane Doe #3.
Another prolific name that Judge Lench ruled could provide similar witness testimony against Weinstein at trial was Daphne Zuniga (“Melrose Place,” “Spaceballs”). Zuniga will be allowed to testify for another alleged victim, Jane Doe #4. Weinstein faces charges of raping her in 2004 or 2005.
Weinstein is already serving a 23-year sentence for rape and sexual assault convictions in 2020 in New York. The New York State Court of Appeals has agreed to hear Weinstein’s appeal of the conviction.
Weinstein’s trial is expected to last eight weeks. Opening statements are scheduled to begin on October 24.
The Rise of Gibson’s Career
Although Mel Gibson struggled after his antisemitic and racist remarks, he has been able to experience a career renaissance in recent years. In 2017, he was again nominated for Best Director for the film “Hacksaw Ridge.”
Earlier this year, he appeared in “Father Stu” opposite Mark Wahlberg. He is also expected to return to his iconic role as Martin Riggs in the fifth installment of the “Lethal Weapon” franchise. Gibson recently told ScreenRant that the start of production on the film has been delayed due to the merger of Warner Bros. A recent discovery.
“Lethal Weapon 5” is expected to start shooting early next year.
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
