Harvey Weinstein Sexual Assault Allegations: NY Prosecutor Drops Part of Sex Assault

An NY judge on Thursday dismissed one of six sexual assault allegations against Hollywood giant Harvey Weinstein. This came after handing the defence a win with the former Hollywood mogul's team making claims that the entire case has been tainted, to begin with. After being accused by more than 80 women of sexual misbehaviour Harvey was still accused of rape in March 2013. He was also accused of forcing an act of oral sex in 2006. If proven guilty this could see him being handed out a life sentence.

Harvey who is out on a $1 million bail and forced to wear a GPS monitor, long pleaded not guilty to the six original counts allegedly committed against three women. On Thursday, it is reported that he sat in a criminal court to hear the judge toss out a forced act of oral sex lodged by Lucia Evans against him in the year 2004.

Defence lawyer Ben Brafman presented in the court that a document presented contradicted the victim's version of events. According to reports, there is evidence that Evans may have performed oral sex on Weinstein by consent in the hope of obtaining an acting part.

"When one of the principle allegations in this indictment is predicated on perjured testimony that's a very big, important development," Brafman told reporters. "I think this grand jury is irreparably damaged. I think the case against Mr Weinstein is, in my view, not sustainable," Brafman the defence lawyer added.

"I'm not certain he (the judge) will have any choice but to dismiss the entire indictment against Harvey Weinstein," said Barfman. A lawyer for Evans spoke out in her defence and other survivors of sexual assault, who have been further strenghtened by the #MeToo movement.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 12, 2018 12:03 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).