Weinstein defense can use Jennifer Siebel Newsom's email at trial

[Eugene]

Source: Associated Press

Weinstein defense can use governor’s wife’s email at trial

By ANDREW DALTON
October 18, 2022

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Jurors in the trial of Harvey Weinstein will be allowed to hear that Jennifer Siebel Newsom, wife of California Gov. Gavin Newsom, emailed the movie magnate for advice about dealing with the media amid a scandal involving Gavin Newsom two years after Weinstein allegedly raped and sexually assaulted her, a judge ruled Monday.

The judge granted narrow permission to the defense to introduce evidence of the email sent to Weinstein in 2007, when Gavin Newsom was mayor of San Francisco and was dating Siebel Newsom.

But Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Lisa B. Lench forbid the defense from discussing the underlying issue behind the email — the revelation of an affair Newsom had had in 2005 with an aide. Lench called it “too tangential in relation to this trial.”

Weinstein attorney Mark Werksman argued adamantly for the inclusion of the details.

-snip-

Read more: https://apnews.com/article/entertainment-california-los-angeles-san-francisco-2b38873950bdae3e649be8fa6aa0838f

[iemanja]

1. What does this prove?

Other than Siebel is an idiot?

[Sympthsical]

2. It's a common argument in rape trials

If the accuser has contacted their assailant in any way after the alleged assault took place, defense attorneys will often argue, "If this man raped you, why did you interact with him as if he was a trusted friend after the assault took place?"

The thing is, it is not uncommon for a victim to maintain contact with the assailant after the incident.

But it's a tactic attorneys use, because jurors might think, "If it had really happened, why would she be talking to him after?"

It's about planting doubt in the jury's mind.

[iemanja]

3. I didn't realize she was a victim

Then your argument makes sense.
I should have read the full article.