News·4 min read

Daily Skimm: Harvey Weinstein, The Life of Katherine Johnson, and This MLB Player's Rodeo

Harvey Weinstein
Getty Images
February 25, 2020

GUILTY

The Story

Harvey Weinstein was found guilty of rape.

Wow. That really happened.

It did. So let's remember how we got here: In 2017, reporters for The New York Times and The New Yorker revealed allegations of sexual misconduct against the Hollywood producer. Since then, dozens of women came forward with claims. Then, in 2018, the Manhattan District Attorney's Office brought charges against Weinstein related to two cases: one of rape in 2013, and one of a forcible sex act in 2006. Weinstein pleaded not guilty and claimed the acts were consensual. But after a weeks-long trial and days of deliberations, the jury decided otherwise.

Guilty?

Yes...of two charges. First, criminal sex act in the first degree for forcing oral sex on a production assistant at his apartment in 2006. Second, rape in the third degree of an aspiring actress at a hotel in 2013. But Weinstein was found not guilty on three other charges including two counts of predatory sexual assault – which carried a possible life sentence. He's set to be sentenced on March 11 and faces up to 29 years in prison. His legal team said it will appeal. Even if it does, Weinstein faces another sexual assault trial in Los Angeles.

It's a big moment.

Indeed. Time's Up's president said the verdict sends a "powerful message" and marks a "new era of justice" for survivors of "harassment, abuse, and assault at work." Many specifically applauded the courage of the six women who testified against him in court: Annabella Sciorra, Miriam Haley, Jessica Mann, Dawn Dunning, Tarale Wulff, and Lauren Young. And revered the two women who prosecuted the case: Joan Illuzzi and Meghan Hast. Actress Ashley Judd (who was one of the first women to go on record about Weinstein's sexual misconduct) thanked them for testifying as they "walked through traumatic hell."

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As Manhattan's District Attorney Cyrus Vance Jr said, these eight women "changed the course of history in the fight against sexual violence." They made this case a landmark of the #MeToo movement, which could set the precedent for future sexual assault cases.

PS: We spoke with the reporters who broke the Weinstein story, Jodi Kantor and Megan Twohey as well as Ronan Farrow. Check out our interviews here and here.

AND ALSO...THIS

Who's being remembered…

Katherine Johnson. Yesterday, the NASA mathematician who helped send the first US astronauts into orbit and, later, to the moon died at the age of 101. During her decades-long career with NASA, Johnson also wrote or co-authored 26 reports and worked on the space shuttle program. She was known as a trailblazer in the quest for racial equality and for her work in the math and science world. Her role as a pioneer was highlighted in the Oscar-nominated film "Hidden Figures," which profiled the African-American women who were critical to the 1960s space race. NASA said it will never forget Johnson's "courage and leadership and the milestones we could not have reached without her."

  • Over the moon accomplishments: In 2015, President Barack Obama awarded Johnson with the Presidential Medal of Freedom – America's highest civilian honor. Last year, a NASA facility in West Virginia was renamed in her honor.

Who's taking legal action...

Vanessa Bryant. Yesterday, the wife of the late Kobe Bryant filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the company that operated the helicopter that crashed last month – killing her husband, daughter, and seven others. It alleges that pilot Ara Zobayan – who also died in the crash – was negligent and failed "to use ordinary care in piloting." But it also blames the company for negligence in apparently not providing "adequate training and/or supervision" or installing a terrain alarm system in the helicopter. Reminder: the helicopter crashed into a California hillside amid foggy conditions. The company called the crash a "tragic accident" and said it wouldn't comment on the pending litigation. News of the lawsuit came the same day that a public memorial service honored Kobe and Gianna.

What rattled world markets...

Coronavirus. Yesterday, growing fears of the outbreak caused the Dow Jones industrial average to drop more than 1,000 points, its biggest point drop in over two years. And European markets had their worst day since 2016. The market tumble came as the number of coronavirus cases surge outside of China – including in Italy, Iran, and South Korea – and highlighted fears of an economic slowdown around the world.

  • Call to action: Yesterday, UN Secretary-General António Guterres urged countries to help fully fund the WHO's call for $675 million to help cover its response to the coronavirus. And said everyone should do their part to prevent the epidemic from creating "dramatic consequences" for the world's health and economy.

  • The US's fight: The Trump admin has sent Congress a $2.5 billion supplemental budget request to fight the coronavirus. The funds are for vaccines, treatment, and protective equipment.

Psst…the coronavirus is now impacting the global economy. Here's what that could mean for your wallet.

What's shakin' in outer space…

Mars. Yesterday, a few studies were released that showed a NASA mission recorded seismic activity (think: similar to earthquakes) on the planet. Read: as many as 174 seismic events. This data provides a greater understanding of how the red planet works, including its interior structure and geological processes.

Who's revealed this isn't his first rodeo...

Mason Saunders, err, Madison Bumgarner.

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