As the courtroom proceedings continue in Harvey Weinstein's sexual assault trial in Los Angeles, we're hearing more horrifying claims.
This week, a woman who is being referred to as "Ashley M." took the stand to detail how the disgraced producer assaulted her. She says it happened while on set of the film Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights.
The actress and ballerina, who says she was 22 at the time of the assault, claimed Weinstein masturbated on her face while his assistant waited outside a hotel room. She testified that she told another producer and a choreographer what had happened, but they failed to respond.
As she recalled the horrific events that she says took place in Puerto Rico in 2003, she could be seen trembling. She also detailed how the convicted rapist allegedly demanded she give him a "naked massage." She says he picked her out of a cast of dancers to make his demands.
The actress detailed exactly how the alleged incident took place. She said that Weinstein approached her as she was about to film a ballroom scene. He took her outside where they could talk privately. “He said it would just be a naked massage … and not to worry about it,” she said through tears. “He said, ‘Look at Gwyneth Paltrow and what it did for her career.'”
The accuser continued, saying that even though she rebuffed Weinstein's advances, she was relieved when a break for dinner was called. But he was waiting for her right after, along with his assistant, Bonnie Hung, she alleged.
She said he became aggressive at that time and instructed her to get into a limo.
“I gave her [Hung] a look like, ‘Can you help me’ with my eyes,” Ashley M. said. “She looked me in the eyes and said, ‘Don’t worry. I will be with you the entire time. He just wants to talk about projects.'”
The accuser said she was completely terrified. The limo took them to a hotel. “I was worried but yet I felt comforted that Bonnie was there … but I was wondering what was going on,” she said.
She said once at the hotel, Weinstein took her to a private room. “Harvey opened (the door) and he went in, then I went in,” she said, sobbing. “And Bonnie shut the door behind us.”
She said that the convicted rapist undressed her, aggressively, and himself. Then she alleges he got on top of her, telling her it was just "naked cuddling."
“I was like really scared. I didn’t know what to do," she said, sobbing. "I said stop. I just remember in my head saying, ‘What do I do?’ I knew he was just really big and Bonnie most likely was out there. I didn’t know what to do.”
She went on to describe how his large frame overpowered her 115-pound body. She also said that Weinstein groped her breasts and ejaculated on her chest and face. She told the court that when it was over she felt "thankful" for not being raped.
If you or someone you know has been a victim of sexual assault, the National Sexual Assault Hotline provides confidential 24/7 support. Call 800-656-HOPE (4673) or chat online at RAINN.
