Harvey Weinstein has been granted an appeal over two years after being convicted.
The once powerful Hollywood boss was convicted of third-degree rape and two charges of committing a criminal sexual act in February 2020.
Now, the Oscar-winning producer has been granted an appeal just two years into his 23-year jail sentence.
The ruling by New York State of Appeals Chief Judge Janet DiFiore makes way for oral arguments before the court next year.
In a statement to People, Weinstein's attorney Arthur Aidala thanked the Judge for recognizing the nuances of his client's case.
"We are grateful that Chief Judge DiFiore acknowledged the substantial legal issues in this case and we are hopeful that the entire Court will find that Mr. Weinstein did not receive a fair trial and reverse his conviction," he said.
Weinstein continues to maintain his innocence. In a statement of his own, the producer said: "I am so grateful to my attorneys for working hard and smart on this," adding: "Their hard work will help me prove my innocence in the end."
Over 80 women accused Weinstein of sexual assault and harassment. Among his accusers were many big names in the film industry, including Salma Hayek, Gwyneth Paltrow, Angelina Jolie, Uma Thurman, and Cara Delevingne.
Weinstein's conviction stemmed from allegations made by two women: former Project Runway model, Mimi Haley and former aspiring actress Jessica Mann.
However, the conviction could now be vacated if the court decides to reverse the original ruling. Per NBC News, the full court will either lead to Weinstein's conviction being upheld, reversed, modified, or scrapped entirely if a new trial is ordered.
Douglas Wigdor - an attorney who represented eight Weinstein victims - claimed he was confident the appeal would be rejected, saying: "Weinstein is a desperate man but we are confident that New York’s highest court will ultimately reject his appeal."
The producer is also facing a separate trial in Los Angeles, where he was charged with 11 counts of rape and sexual assault last year. He has pleaded not guilty to the accusations.
Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón confirmed to NBC News that Weinstein's appeal will have no impact on court proceedings in LA.
