Harvey Weinstein sentenced to 16 more years in jail

The disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein was sentenced on Thursday by a court in Los Angeles to 16 more years in jail for rape. The 70-year-old is already serving a 23-year prison term for a separate conviction in New York. Before Thursday's sentencing, Weinstein seated in a wheelchair professed his innocence and implored the judge to grant him mercy. The charges stem from an assault on a former model and actress at a Los Angeles hotel in 2013. Identified in court as Jane Doe Won, the victim cried as she said she'd been a very happy and confident woman until Weinstein raped her. She said, I lost my identity. I fought for sure that no one could love me.

I was heartbroken, empty and alone. Weinstein insisted he did not know Jane Doe Won and argued that she had fabricated her account for money. The Los Angeles jury acquitted Weinstein of charges relating to a second alleged victim and failed to reach a unanimous verdict on charges arising from two other accusers. Defense attorneys argued that the woman willingly had sex with Weinstein because they believed he would advance their careers. In two of the cases, they said the alleged sexual contact was fabricated. Thursday's sentencing increases the chances that Weinstein will spend the rest of his life behind bars.

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