New York prosecutors are preparing for a retrial of Harvey Weinstein following the overturning of his 2020 rape conviction, with plans to present additional sexual assault allegations to a grand jury possibly by this fall.

During a court hearing in Manhattan, Assistant District Attorney Nicole Blumberg indicated that her office could be ready for a November retrial, countering Weinstein’s defense attorney Arthur Aidala's plea for an expedited trial due to Weinstein's ailing health. Aidala emphasized Weinstein's fragile condition, portraying him as "a sick man" desperate for resolution while accusing prosecutors of deliberate delays.

Weinstein, appearing in court in a wheelchair, held onto a copy of the nonfiction book "20th Century-Fox: Darryl F. Zanuck and the Creation of the Modern Film Studio." Aidala vehemently opposed new charges, dismissing the efforts as unjust and unfairly targeting Weinstein solely due to his defendant status.

Blumberg informed Judge Curtis Farber that while there were allegations from other women during Weinstein's 2020 trial, many were not prepared to testify then but are now willing to come forward. Addressing Aidala's accusations, Blumberg asserted that these new developments stemmed from victims who are now ready to proceed with legal action.

Weinstein, once a powerful figure in Hollywood, received a 23-year prison sentence for forcing oral sex on a former TV and film production assistant in 2006 and third-degree rape of an aspiring actress in 2013. His conviction was a pivotal moment for the #MeToo movement, underscoring accountability for sexual misconduct among influential figures.

However, the New York Court of Appeals overturned Weinstein's conviction in April, citing errors in the trial judge's allowance of additional witnesses whose testimonies were not directly tied to the charges against him. Prosecutors sought to present these witnesses to establish a pattern of Weinstein's alleged behavior.

Despite the overturned conviction in New York, Weinstein remains incarcerated at Rikers Island due to a separate rape conviction in Los Angeles in 2022, where he received a 16-year prison sentence. His legal team has filed an appeal in the California case.

Blumberg emphasized that potential new charges under consideration by her office fall within New York's extended statute of limitations, expanded in 2019. This extension increased the statute of limitations for second-degree rape from five years to 20 years and for third-degree rape from five years to 10 years.

The judge scheduled another hearing for July 19 to discuss evidence sharing with the defense, with Aidala stressing urgency due to Weinstein's declining health exacerbated by diabetes and a spinal condition impairing mobility. Despite challenges, Aidala expressed confidence in Weinstein's defense, asserting, "We don’t think there is anything there."

As legal proceedings continue, Harvey Weinstein's case remains a focal point for discussions on justice and accountability in sexual assault cases, both within the entertainment industry and beyond.