Sam Amico
Actor Mel Gibson will reveal what he learned from an accuser in the rape and sexual assault trial of former movie mogul Harvey Weinstein, a judge has ruled.
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Gibson, 66, was among the witnesses who were whose identities were revealed by the Los Angeles Superior Court. The star of movies such as Braveheart, Mad Max, Lethal Weapon and The Passion of the Christ, Gibson is by far the best-known witness.
Judge Lisa B. Lench ruled that Gibson can testify in support of Jane Doe #3, Gibson’s masseuse and friend. Weinstein, 70, has been accused of committing sexual battery by restraint against the woman. He is facing 11 counts of rape and sexual battery overall.
Prosecutors alleged that Weinstein received a massage from the woman at a Beverley Hills hotel in 2010. After which he followed her into the bathroom and masturbated. Weinstein has denied any non-consensual activity and pleaded not guilty.
Mel Gibson to Testify Against Harvey Weinstein
His defense team argued against Gibson being allowed to testify. They noted that what the actor learned while receiving a massage from the woman does not constitute a “fresh complaint” under the law. In California, a “fresh complaint” allows the introduction of evidence if the alleged victim voluntarily reported it to someone else fairly quickly after it happened.
Prosecutors said that when Gibson was receiving the massage, he brought up Weinstein, just by chance. The woman had a traumatic response and that’s when Gibson understood she allegedly had been sexually assaulted.
Meanwhile, Weinstein’s lawyer Mark Werksman argued if Gibson does take the stand, the defense should be allowed to cross-examine him. This about antisemitic remarks Gibson made during an arrest in 2006. As well as the racist statements Gibson made to his girlfriend that were recorded in 2010.
Weinstein is Jewish and Werksman indicated that would be relevant to Mel Gibson’s testimony.
“Any evidence of Mr. Gibson’s racism or antisemitism would give rise to a bias against my client, who challenged him,” Werksman said.
Deputy District Attorney Marlene Martinez admitted that Gibson’s past comments were “despicable.” But said they had no relevance for the purposes for which he would be taking the stand.
Lench said a wider discussion of Gibson’s racist remarks was not relevant to the Weinstein trial, but she would allow questioning on if he had personal animus toward Weinstein.
