Weinstein was taken to Rikers Island from the Manhattan courthouse where he was sentenced. He then began having chest pains, so the staff at Rikers decided to send him back to Bellevue `for safety.` `We appreciate the care and concern of the Department of Corrections officers and staff,` the spokesperson said.
On Tuesday, Weinstein was sentenced to 23 years in New York State prison on charges of sexual assault and third-degree rape, and will be formally registered as a sex offender.
While the prosecution urged the judge to give Weinstein the maximum sentence of 29 years, Weinstein's defense pleaded for the judge to give him a minimum sentence of five years, largely due to his age and poor health.
In court, Justice James Burke said, `In regard to your medical situation, New York judges have no power... but obviously medical attention is required.` Weinstein's team hopes he will ultimately be sent to Fishkill Correctional Facility, a state prison that has a medical unit.
