Judge Refuses to Dismiss Harvey Weinstein Sexual Assault Case

Weinstein's legal team has accused alleged victims of lying and claims that the D.A.'s office and the police withheld evidence from the grand jury. Lead attorney Ben Brafman has argued that prosecutorial misconduct means the case should be dismissed, and raised the possibility that Weinstein would be able to avoid a lengthy trial. Instead, pre-trial hearings will take place on March 7.

Several prominent entertainment industry figures turned up wearing #TimesUp t-shirts, which they were required to cover up in court, to hear the judge's ruling. The celebrity-filled group included Marisa Tomei, Gloria Allred, Jennifer Esposito, Amber Tamblyn, Nia Vardalos, and Times Up's newly minted president Lisa Borders. A slightly disheveled looking Weinstein entered the court limping. He was dressed in a grey suit and sported a navy blue tie and a five o'clock shadow.

Weinstein was one of the most powerful figures in Hollywood for decades, backing classic films such as "Pulp Fiction" and "The King's Speech," and winning trunkloads of Oscars and acclaim in the process. His career is in tatters after dozens of women came forward in 2017 to accuse the former head of Miramax and the Weinstein Company of sexual assault and harassment. His accusers included celebrities such as Gwyneth Paltrow, Uma Thurman, and Ashley Judd and their decision to break their silence triggered an industry-wide reckoning. Kevin Spacey, Dustin Hoffman, Matt Lauer, and Brett Ratner are just a few of the major media business figures who have been accused of sexual assault or harassment in the wake of Weinstein's fall.