In a dramatic turn of events, Harvey Weinstein's 2020 rape conviction was overturned by a New York appeals court on Thursday. However, this does not mean the former Hollywood film producer will be released from prison as he still faces legal battles on multiple fronts.

After the decision was announced, Weinstein's prison consultant and authorized representative, Craig Rothfeld, stated that Weinstein was back at Rikers Island on Saturday. Rothfeld expressed gratitude towards the New York City Department of Corrections and Correctional Health Services for tending to Weinstein's medical needs during his return.

Weinstein's legal representative, Juda Engelmayer, expressed cautious optimism and readiness to go to trial if necessary. Engelmayer noted that the number of charges against Weinstein has decreased and believed that the deck would no longer be unfairly stacked against him.

The appeals court's 4-3 decision highlighted that the trial judge allowed prosecutors to call witnesses who had accused Weinstein of assault, even though their allegations did not directly relate to the charges brought against him. The court deemed this as a violation of due process.

Weinstein is expected to return to court on May 1, according to The Hollywood Reporter. However, it is important to note that his overturned conviction in New York does not mean he will be released from prison. After his sentencing in New York, Weinstein was extradited to California in July 2021 to face additional sexual assault allegations made by four women. In February 2023, he was subsequently found guilty of rape and other charges, resulting in a 16-year prison sentence.

Furthermore, Weinstein is also facing charges in London related to alleged offenses in 1996. The legal battles surrounding him are far from over, demonstrating the extent of the allegations that have been made against him by more than 80 women.

While his legal team sees the appeals court's decision as a restoration of faith in the justice system, it remains to be seen how the future legal proceedings will unfold. Weinstein continues to deny engaging in non-consensual sex.

As the world watches, the Weinstein saga serves as a reminder of the ongoing struggle for justice and the complexities within the legal system when dealing with high-profile cases.