Harvey Weinstein trial - live: Movie mogul in court over charges of rape and sexual assault, two years after first allegations

Prosecutors make their case against Harvey Weinstein in a trial expected to last six weeks

Harvey Weinstein limps into court for the first day of his trial in New York

Two years after he was accused of rape and sexual assault, the opening statements in movie mogul Harvey Weinstein's trial got under way today.

Weinstein, once one of Hollywood's most powerful producers, denies the charges.

More than 80 women have publicly accused the 67-year-old of sexual misconduct, helping to fuel the #MeToo movement over the last two years. The criminal charges against him refer to three of those accusers.

Predatory sexual assault is the most serious charge against Weinstein, carrying a maximum sentence of life in prison.

Weinstein's lead lawyer, Donna Rotunno, says Weinstein had a "slew of witnesses ready to go".

Follow our live blog below for updates from the court.

Even if he is acquitted in Manhattan, Weinstein faces separate criminal charges announced earlier this month by prosecutors in Los Angeles.

Key Points

• A jury of 7 men and and five women will hear the case
• The trial is expected to last six weeks
• Weinstein faces a maximum sentence of life in prison if convicted

[22 January 2020 14:03 · Clemence Michallon]

Prosecutors are set to begin presenting their rape case against Harvey Weinstein today, with the once-powerful Hollywood producer facing life in prison if convicted, in a trial that has become a watershed moment for the #MeToo movement.

[22 January 2020 14:04 · Clemence Michallon]

A jury of seven men and five women is sitting in the Manhattan courthouse after a contentious selection process.

[22 January 2020 14:04 · Clemence Michallon]

The trial - triggered by accusations made more than two years ago - is expected to last up to six weeks.

[22 January 2020 14:23 · Clemence Michallon]

When asked by reporters if he thinks he’s gonna get a fair trial, he replied: “I have good lawyers.”

[22 January 2020 14:26 · Clemence Michallon]

Weinstein shuffled into court just before 9am this morning, but without the walking frame which he's relied upon on other days

[22 January 2020 14:49 · Clemence Michallon]

A recent report in the New York Times said Weinstein has, for the last year and a half, been "holed up on his own in a rented apartment in Manhattan, reading books, watching streamed TV shows, Googling himself and nervously obsessing about the outcome of this trial"

[22 January 2020 15:03 · Clemence Michallon]

The scene outside court today was quiet compared to the start of proceedings earlier this month, when Weinstein's team complained that noisy sidewalk demonstrations could be heard inside the courtroom.

When asked how he was feeling by one of the roughly 100 reporters and photographers, Weinstein replied: "Better."

[22 January 2020 15:13 · Clemence Michallon]

Weinstein pictured arriving at court 

[22 January 2020 16:08 · Clemence Michallon]

Last month, Weinstein gave an interview to the New York Post, in which he griped that his work had been overshadowed by the accusations, as he argued he deserved praise for championing women in film.

[22 January 2020 16:49 · Clemence Michallon]

After opening statements, prosecutors are expected to call a former member of the board of directors at Weinstein's old movie studio to testify about how the company handled allegations against him.