Harvey Weinstein, the disgraced Hollywood producer, appeared in a New York City courtroom on Wednesday to face an additional charge of criminal sexual act in the first degree. This comes as Weinstein prepares for a retrial in his high-profile #MeToo case. The former movie mogul, who arrived at the Manhattan courthouse in a wheelchair, pleaded not guilty to the latest charge.

Weinstein has recently undergone emergency heart surgery and is currently recovering. His lawyer revealed that he is taking 19 medications, emphasizing the health challenges he faces. Despite this, his arraignment proceeded as planned.

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg announced that the new charge stemmed from an alleged sexual assault that occurred in a lower Manhattan hotel between April 29 and May 6, 2006. Bragg commended the survivor for her bravery in coming forward, stating that Weinstein now faces indictment for another alleged violent sexual assault. He added that the investigation is ongoing.

The number of women who have accused Weinstein of sexual assault or harassment has surpassed 80, with allegations spanning decades. These accusations played a crucial role in igniting the #MeToo movement, which shed light on abuses of power across the entertainment industry and beyond. Weinstein, however, has consistently denied the claims, maintaining that any encounters in question were consensual.

In early 2020, Weinstein was convicted by a New York jury of third-degree rape against Jessica Mann, a former aspiring actor, and first-degree criminal sex act against Mimi Haley, a former "Project Runway" production assistant. However, in April, the state Court of Appeals overturned Weinstein's 23-year prison sentence, criticizing the trial judge for allowing testimony on allegations that were not part of the charges. The court labeled this move as highly prejudicial.

The retrial for Weinstein is tentatively scheduled to commence on November 12. Both Haley and Mann have expressed their determination to testify against him again. Haley's lawyer, Gloria Allred, stated that her client believes it is the right thing to do. Mann, in a recent statement, emphasized her determination to use her voice against Weinstein, proving that her life is valuable and cannot be taken away.

Attorney Lindsay M. Goldbrum, representing the woman whose grand jury testimony led to the new indictment, affirmed her client's readiness to speak her truth in court and hold Weinstein accountable before a jury of his peers.

The Manhattan district attorney's office had previously announced its intention to retry Weinstein, and last week, prosecutors disclosed that he had been indicted on new charges. While awaiting retrial, Weinstein has been in custody at the Rikers Island prison complex. However, a judge recently granted a defense request for him to remain at Bellevue Hospital in Manhattan, where he is currently receiving medical care.

Apart from the New York case, Weinstein was also found guilty of rape and sexual assault charges in a separate trial in Los Angeles in late 2022. He received a 16-year prison sentence. Weinstein's legal team is currently appealing the verdict from the Los Angeles trial. Throughout both trials, Weinstein pleaded not guilty and opted not to testify in his own defense.

The downfall of Harvey Weinstein's career ensued in October 2017 when investigative journalists from The New York Times and The New Yorker published articles detailing numerous allegations of serial sexual misconduct. These revelations sparked a wave of similar accusations against other powerful figures within the entertainment, financial, and other industries.

As the retrial of Harvey Weinstein approaches, the legal battle continues to unfold, further shaping the ongoing global conversation surrounding sexual assault and the abuse of power.