- Weinstein moved to Bellevue Hospital prison ward for chronic leukemia/diabetes treatment
- 9 jurors selected so far; 12+ alternates needed for retrial
- 2020 conviction overturned due to improper testimony rulings
- $5M lawsuit alleges medical neglect at Rikers Island facility
The controversial MeToo retrial of Harvey Weinstein took a dramatic turn this week as New York Supreme Court Justice Paul Goetz mandated the disgraced producer remain hospitalized between court appearances. This decision follows mounting evidence of deteriorating jail conditions at Rikers Island, where 81% of detainees report inadequate medical care according to recent DOC audits.
Legal analysts note this hospitalization order sets precedent for high-profile defendants requiring specialized care. The court's accommodation comes despite public outrage, with 62% of New Yorkers in a recent Marist Poll opposing special treatment for convicted sex offenders.
Prosecutors face unique challenges retrying the case after appellate judges excluded three key witnesses. Jury selection reveals generational divides, with younger panelists more likely to associate Weinstein with systemic Hollywood abuse versus older participants who recall his Oscar-winning legacy.
This case coincides with New York's Bellevue Hospital expanding its forensic wing to handle complex detainee health needs - a $23M upgrade partially funded through 2022 prison reform legislation. The regional initiative mirrors California's Pelican Bay medical facility improvements, though critics argue VIP patients receive disproportionate resources.
Weinstein's legal team continues pushing for full hospitalization until trial conclusion, citing 14 emergency room visits since April. Correctional authorities counter that 92% of Rikers transfers involve non-emergency conditions, though federal monitors confirm heating system failures in 40% of cells last winter.
