The former roommate of Miriam Haley, one of Harvey Weinstein‘s accusers, took the stand on Thursday at the former Hollywood producer’s retrial in New York City.
Elizabeth Entin, who lived with Haley in the East Village in 2006, recalled that Haley confided in her during the summer of that year about an alleged sexual assault by Weinstein. Entin described Haley’s demeanor as “very unfocused” and “anxious,” noting that she stood awkwardly in the doorway while Entin was lying in her own bed, before finally approaching her.
“She looked shaken,” Entin told the courtroom. While she was not able to disclose the specific details of her conversation with Haley, she summarized it by saying, “He had forcibly put his mouth on her vagina without her consent.”
Entin said she advised Haley to contact a lawyer and consider pursuing criminal charges against Weinstein. “Miriam, that sounds like rape. I think you should call a lawyer,” she allegedly told her at the time.
However, according to Entin, Haley didn’t seem receptive to the suggestion, and the conversation eventually “fizzled out.” Entin noted that from that day forward, Haley seemed different — she had “less zest or vitality.”
Earlier, Entin shared that Haley was working as a production assistant on “Project Runway” while they were living together (Weinstein produced the fashion reality series), and that the two often attended events related to the show. Entin recounted first meeting Weinstein at an event at Cipriani Downtown in SoHo, where he put his arm around Haley’s waist and referred to her as the “hottest” or “sexiest” woman he knew, though Entin said she couldn’t remember the exact wording. Entin said Haley appeared “uncomfortable” as she tried to placate the situation with Weinstein.
During cross-examination, Weinstein’s attorney Jennifer Bonjean mentioned that Entin had testified in Weinstein’s 2020 trial. She then questioned Entin about her two books that were published after the initial 2020 New York trial — one of which touches on the prior proceedings involving Weinstein — as well as several podcast appearances she made.
“You received many opportunities to be featured in the press?” Bonjean asked Entin.
Tensions escalated during Bonjean’s questioning about Entin’s press appearances and how she was “excited” to meet attorney Gloria Allred, who represented Haley in Weinstein’s 2020 trial.
“He raped my friend, and I am not happy about that,” Entin said at one point.
When Bonjean asked why she advised Haley to contact a lawyer rather than report the alleged sexual assault directly to the police, Entin responded, “Rape has a different stigma in our society — and a different history,” adding that one has to “take a lot more careful steps.”
Weinstein is charged with committing a first-degree criminal sexual act against Haley in July 2006. He pleaded not guilty to the charge.
Weinstein was previously found guilty of sexually abusing the former TV production assistant in his 2020 New York trial, but that conviction — along with the one involving actor Jessica Mann — was later overturned.
After a lunch break, Christine Pressman — who had been a friend of Haley’s in 2006 — testified about a conversation they had while in East Hampton together in August or September of that year. According to Pressman, Haley confided in her about the alleged sexual assault and appeared “very animated” as she recounted the incident.
Pressman recalled responding that the situation was “absolutely disgusting and horrible,” but advised Haley not to go to the police.
“I said, ‘Harvey Weinstein is the king of New York. He’s extremely powerful; you are not. Just let it go,’” Pressman said, her voice cracking as she began to choke up.
While being cross-examined by the defense, Pressman was asked whether she had ever suggested to Haley that she date Weinstein, to which she replied, “Yes.” When pressed to specify when she made the suggestion, Pressman said she couldn’t recall.
Weinstein’s attorney, Bonjean, later asked Pressman whether Haley had told her she was dating Weinstein prior to the East Hampton trip. Pressman simply responded, “Never.”
Kate Englund, the senior director of editorial operations at Getty Images, also testified earlier on Thursday. Jurors were shown several images uploaded to Getty, including ones featuring Weinstein with high-profile individuals such as Gwyneth Paltrow, Penelope Cruz, Bill and Hillary Clinton, Leonardo DiCaprio, Cate Blanchett and the late Queen Elizabeth II. Photographs of Kaja Sokola, one of Weinstein’s accusers who was identified on Wednesday during opening statements, were also presented in the courtroom and admitted into evidence.
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