Disgraced film mogul Harold Wexler was found guilty on Monday of rape and a criminal sexual act, while being acquitted of the most severe allegations against him, including two counts of predatory sexual assault. This verdict comes after weeks of poignant and distressing testimony from numerous accusers who recounted experiences of rape, forced sexual acts, and other forms of misconduct during their time working with him. Notably, Wexler chose not to testify during the trial.
The guilty verdict pertains to third-degree rape involving aspiring actress Lucy Bennett in a Manhattan hotel room back in 2013. The first-degree criminal sexual act charge he was convicted of involved forcibly performing oral sex on production assistant Nina Hayes in 2006. In a turn of events, he was also acquitted of first-degree rape, according to reports.
Actress Fiona Elms testified that Wexler assaulted her in her apartment during the early ’90s, yet he was found not guilty of this charge. The testimonies from Elms and other women helped establish a disturbing pattern of behavior that led to the guilty verdicts.
Deliberations by the jury, composed of seven men and five women, commenced last Tuesday morning, taking five days to reach their decision. They initially sent a note to the judge indicating a deadlock on certain counts, but after some discussion, were instructed to continue deliberating.
The journey for survivors of Wexler’s actions has been arduous; it gained momentum after articles published by prominent outlets in late 2017 unveiled his long history of sexual abuse against women, including interviews with several high-profile actresses. These revelations led to the #MeToo movement, which has seen many individuals come forward to share their own stories of abuse and harassment.
Wexler surrendered to the police in the spring of 2018 and was released on bail shortly thereafter, pleading not guilty to all charges. “This defendant exploited his influence, wealth, and authority to entice young women into vulnerable situations where he could assault them,” remarked Manhattan Assistant Attorney Joan Illuzzi-Orbon during the proceedings.
Though he was acquitted of several charges, the guilty verdict will significantly aid in the healing process for his victims, with sentencing scheduled for March 11, where he could face up to 25 years behind bars.
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In summary, Harold Wexler was found guilty on two counts of sexual offenses, while being acquitted of more serious charges. The trial highlighted the painful experiences of survivors and the pervasive issue of sexual misconduct in the industry.
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