NEW YORK (AP) — Harvey Weinstein, the disgraced former movie mogul, appealed to a judge on Wednesday for an expedited retrial in light of his deteriorating health conditions, which include cancer and heart issues, as well as the challenging conditions he faces at New York City's Rikers Island jail complex. During a state court hearing in Manhattan, Weinstein, aged 72, expressed concern about his well-being, stating, "I don’t know how much longer I can hold on." He urged Judge Curtis Farber to reschedule his retrial, currently set to begin on April 15, by swapping dates with an unrelated trial scheduled for March.

Weinstein described his daily struggles at Rikers Island, noting, "Everyday I’m at Rikers Island, it’s a mystery to me how I’m still walking." He added, "I’m holding on because I want justice for myself and I want this to be over with." Present in court in a wheelchair and arriving more than thirty minutes late, Weinstein often spoke with the same assertiveness that characterized his former role as a powerful studio executive. He made a heartfelt plea to the judge, suggesting that even a minor adjustment to the trial schedule could ease his burden.

Health concerns plague Weinstein as he is being treated for chronic myeloid leukemia, heart problems, and diabetes. He complained that Rikers Island staff had provided him with incorrect medication and that they were tardy in transporting him to court. "So many people suffering on Rikers Island," he lamented. He described moments of severe respiratory distress, predicting that he might end up hospitalized for further medical care.

Judge Farber clarified that the April 15 date was established after consulting with both the prosecution and Weinstein's legal team but indicated he would explore the possibility of beginning the retrial a few days earlier if feasible. Weinstein's pleas were unusual for a criminal defendant, particularly considering Judge Farber's recent ruling specifying the scope of the retrial, which included upholding an additional charge related to an allegation by a woman not involved in the original case.

Weinstein's defense has argued against this new charge, stating it was an attempt by the Manhattan district attorney's office to strengthen their case following the overturning of his 2020 conviction for rape and sexual assault involving two other women. Weinstein is facing charges for incidents from 2006 and 2013 involving allegations of forcible oral sex and rape, alongside new accusations from another woman regarding an incident in 2006. This new charge emerged just before his first trial began and was not part of the original case.

Under pressure from a crowded court schedule, Weinstein’s attorney, Arthur Aidala, also represents Steve Bannon in an upcoming trial set for March 4. Aidala previously urged the court to consider Weinstein's declining health when determining trial precedence, arguing that the time-sensitive nature of Weinstein’s health situation justified a re-evaluation of scheduling.

As details of Weinstein's past continue to resurface, the legal proceedings must now balance the urgency of addressing his health conditions with established court protocols. The charges against him, including the additional allegation from last September, demonstrate ongoing attempts by prosecutorial authorities to revisit previous accusations in light of the newly vacated conviction.

Weinstein co-founded the influential film production companies Miramax and The Weinstein Company and was once a dominant figure in Hollywood, credited with producing iconic films like "Pulp Fiction" and "The Crying Game." His notoriety surged in 2017 when he became a central figure in the #MeToo movement, following numerous allegations of sexual misconduct from multiple women.

With his current legal battles compounded by health challenges, Weinstein remains a pivotal figure in discussions about power, accountability, and the broader implications of the #MeToo movement in today’s society. His ongoing legal struggles, paired with the complexities of his retrial and the serious health issues he faces, underscore a crucial moment in both his life and the evolving landscape of Hollywood's reckoning with sexual misconduct.