Harvey Weinstein back in Rikers Island following overturned conviction

Harvey Weinstein, once a powerful Hollywood mogul,  is back behind bars at Rikers Island following the overturning of his landmark rape conviction. Weinstein's spokesperson confirmed to the New York Post  that he is being held in a special unit at Rikers' West Facility, designed for inmates with medical needs.

"We are grateful for how smoothly [the NYC Department of Corrections and NYC H+H/Correctional Health Services] handled the return to Rikers," spokesperson Juda Engelmayer said. "At the same time, we are cautiously optimistic and are prepared to go to trial, if it comes to that."

Engelmayer expressed confidence in a more favourable outcome in a potential retrial, saying, "There are fewer charges now and the deck isn't going to be illegally stacked against him." He emphasised Weinstein's right to due process while acknowledging the importance of justice for survivors.

The Manhattan District Attorney's Office remains committed to the case.  "Our Special Victims Division fights each and every day to centre survivors, uplift their voices, and seek justice for these horrific crimes," spokesperson Emily Tuttle said in a statement.

Weinstein was convicted in 2020 on rape and sexual assault charges but had his conviction overturned this week by the New York Court of Appeals. The court ruled that testimony from "prior bad acts" witnesses should not have been allowed.

Despite the setback, prosecutors are determined to pursue a retrial. Weinstein also faces a separate 16-year prison sentence in California on additional sex crime charges.