Miriam Haley, a former assistant on “Project Runway,” recently took the stand in the ongoing criminal trial of Harvey Weinstein. Over the course of her testimony, she expressed intense emotions, leaving the courtroom in tears at one point.
Haley recounted an incident from July 2006 in which she alleges Weinstein forcibly performed oral sex on her at his SoHo home. She noted that, weeks later, she was raped by him in a hotel room in Tribeca. During questioning, Weinstein’s lawyer, Jennifer Bonjean, focused on the specifics of what Haley was wearing that night. Haley firmly replied, “He took my clothes off … I didn’t take my clothes off,” emphasizing that he was the aggressor.
Tensions escalated as Haley shouted, “Don’t tell me I wasn’t raped by that f––ing a––hole!” This emotional moment led to a brief recess in the courtroom.
Upon returning, Haley calmly reiterated her stance. She insisted, “I did not remove my clothes. I was on my period.” This is not her first time facing Weinstein in court; she previously testified against him during his 2020 trial, which resulted in a conviction later overturned.
Earlier in the week, Haley described the assault during the 2006 incident with chilling details, saying, “He put his mouth on my vagina, before and after he pulled out the tampon.” She described her feelings of humiliation and disbelief.
Weinstein, now 73, has pleaded not guilty to charges related to these incidents. He also faces allegations from actress Jessica Mann and Polish model Kaja Sokola.
During opening statements, Assistant District Attorney Shannon Lucey highlighted how Weinstein exploited his influence in Hollywood, saying, “He knew how addictive Hollywood dreams were.” This implied that he manipulated young women through promises of success.
As the trial unfolds, many are closely following public reactions to the case, especially on social media, where discussions about power dynamics in the entertainment industry continue to resonate.
The ongoing dialogue reflects a broader conversation about sexual assault, consent, and the experiences of survivors. As more details emerge, this case serves as a reminder of the importance of listening to those impacted by abuse and understanding the systemic issues surrounding these serious allegations.
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