Former Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein was sentenced on Wednesday to 23 years in prison for rape and sexual assault—far higher than the five years his lawyers requested.
Miriam Haley and Jessica Mann, the two primary accusers in the case, were present in the New York courtroom. As they exited the room—after the conviction was delivered—the other attendees in the audience applauded them.
Haley, who says she was sexually assaulted by Weinstein in his apartment in 2006, addressed the court at Weinstein’s sentencing: “He had crushed a part of my spirit. If he was not convicted of rape and sexual assault by this jury, it would have happened again and again. I’m relieved there are women who are safer because he is not out there.”
