Harvey Weinstein accuser testifies about enduring 2006 sexual assault, stating the safest option was to “check out” during the incident.

Miriam Haley, one of the women who has accused Harvey Weinstein of sexual assault, provided harrowing testimony in Manhattan Supreme Court regarding her experiences with the disgraced film mogul. During her second day of testimony on April 29, 2025, she recounted the traumatic events of July 10, 2006, when she alleges that Weinstein assaulted her in his Soho loft. Amid tears, she shared the chilling details of the encounter, which she described as a calculated decision to endure an attack that she felt was inevitable.

Haley, 48, a former television producer, recounted how she had previously met Weinstein under seemingly professional circumstances. Initially, their interactions were marked by respect, but they soon took a troubling turn as Weinstein began to make inappropriate requests. For Haley, the assault marked a turning point; she claimed that Weinstein forcibly yanked out her tampon and performed a non-consensual sexual act on her.

Haley’s testimony highlighted the sense of helplessness she felt during the incident, stating that her mind raced with calculations of safety, leading her to conclude that the best option was to “check out” mentally and endure the assault. Following the initial trial in 2020, which ended with Weinstein’s conviction for first-degree criminal sexual act and third-degree rape, the conviction was overturned by New York’s highest court in April 2024. The court ruled that the trial judge had improperly allowed testimony related to other allegations against Weinstein that were not relevant to the charges he faced at that time.

This retrial includes not only Haley’s allegations but also those of aspiring actress Jessica Mann and Polish model Kaja Sokola, who have come forward with new accusations against Weinstein. This ongoing legal battle has seen Weinstein maintain his plea of not guilty.

Haley’s description of her encounters with Weinstein included a mix of initially cordial interactions that devolved into distressing events. A day before the 2006 assault, she had been scheduled to attend the premiere of “Clerks 2” in Los Angeles at Weinstein’s invitation. Despite having clearly communicated her lack of romantic interest and her focus on professional work, she found herself agreeing to visit his apartment, feeling that refusing would be inappropriate.

As she detailed the assault, Haley vividly described the moments that led to her eventual decision to endure Weinstein’s advances. After the initial attack, she recounted her struggle with the decision of whether to report him to the authorities, ultimately feeling that her precarious employment situation would leave her vulnerable while Weinstein could leverage his powerful status to discredit her.

In a separate encounter just weeks later, she described how Weinstein summoned her to his hotel room, leading to a second incident of sexual assault, which left her feeling numb and resigned. Haley admitted to grappling with self-blame and the pressures of maintaining a connection with Weinstein, all while navigating her desire for success in a challenging industry.

This testimony sheds light on the complex dynamics of power, consent, and the psychological toll of such trauma, as the retrial progresses and evolves in the public eye. The court has set the stage for further testimony, with Haley expected to continue sharing her experience, contributing to what has become a highly publicized trial.