A judge ruled the case against the disgraced movie mogul could move forward.
Oscar winner Marisa Tomei smiled in relief after a judge refused to dismiss the sexual assault case against Harvey Weinstein, who limped into court Thursday for an update in the case against him.
Actresses Amber Tamblyn and Jennifer Esposito were by Tomei's side as they took a victory lap outside the courthouse. Moments later, Tamblyn tweeted, "This morning we showed up in criminal court to witness Harvey Weinstein and his case not be dismissed. It is a small victory.”
Weinstein was hoping to have the charges in his criminal case dismissed. The disgraced movie mogul's suspenders popped as he made his way through the metal detectors. Then, he took a long walk down the hallway where camera crews from around the world had gathered to hear the judge's decision. As he walked by, he muttered, "How you doing?"
Tomei and other leaders of the #TimesUp movement sat in the gallery of the courtroom to witness the proceedings. There were big smiles after the judge ruled that the case against Weinstein could go to trial.
The women held a team meeting in the hallway, gathering behind Lisa Borders, president of the #TimesUp movement. "Today, here in New York, we saw the first steps toward justice,” Borders told reporters.
Weinstein's lawyer Benjamin Brafman said that his client will ultimately be exonerated.
“Today's ruling was a technical ruling on the law, and although disappointed, it does not in any way suggest that the case against Mr. Weinstein is going to end badly,” Brafman said.
Dozens of women have accused Weinstein of misconduct. But the case focuses on two women who accuse him of sexually assaulting them. He has pleaded not guilty and denies all allegations of nonconsensual sex.
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