Harvey Weinstein is still in court, and five women have made sexual assault claims against him. Weinstein has pleaded not guilty to the charges and, right now, he’s in the midst of the juror selection process for the case. The hearing took place at the end this week and resulted in several notable developments. However, what’s seemingly grabbed most people’s attention is the fact that Mel Gibson has now been roped into Weinstein’s legal drama.
According to Variety, a judge ruled this past Friday that Mel Gibson can testify on behalf of Jane Doe 3 during Harvey Weinstein’s upcoming rape trial. According to the unnamed woman, Mel Gibson sexually assaulted and raped her at his hotel in 2010 as he was a movie mogul. It’s said that the purported assault occurred after she gave Weinstein a message. Gibson, apparently a friend of Gibson, recalled the incident to him.
The ex-Weinstein Company chief’s lawyer argued against the Braveheart star being called to testify. Mark Werksman, an attorney representing the ex-Weinstein company head, said that the Oscar winner was involved in a few types of activities with the former movie producer for many years. Werksman claims that the dispute over The Passion of the Christ is the reason. He also claimed that Werksman, an actor who has been involved in many controversies himself, is trying to resolve the matter. “rehabilitate”His image after the #MeToo Movement.
Additionally, Mark Werksman also requested that the defense be allowed to question Mel Gibson about racist and antisemetic statements he’s made in the past. The request was denied by the judge. Jane Doe 3’s lawyer questioned why such a thing would be necessary, and Werksman argued:
It is his refusal to grant equal status and equality to those who are not his ilk. He holds a white-supremacist viewpoint. An individual with white-supremacist beliefs might not have any problems perjuring themselves against a Jewish defendant.
Should Mel Gibson appear in court, his testimony could have major ramifications on the case. If he corroborates Jane Doe 3’s story, it could possibly lead to another setback for Harvey Weinstein. Weinstein, who is believed to be in serious condition, is involved in this case and is seeking to appeal his 2020 sexual assault conviction. He was sentenced in that case to 23 years imprisonment. That same year, Weinstein’s victims were granted a major settlement, and he was also dealt another blow when Ashley Judd won a legal battle against him.
The public will likely closely monitor Mel Gibson’s testimony to find out if he (who may or not be in Lethal Weapon 5’s headlining role) will stand. In the meantime, Harvey Weinstein’s case is set to resume this coming Monday, and jury panel dismissals will be discussed.