Disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein made a personal plea to the court on Wednesday, requesting an expedited trial date due to his deteriorating health. During the hearing, Judge Curtis J. Farber scheduled the retrial for April 15th, a date Weinstein argued he might not live to see.

In an unusual direct address, Weinstein implored the judge, "I’m asking and begging you to switch. I can’t hold on anymore. I’m holding on because I want justice for myself." He also mentioned a medication error that morning, stating he was given the "wrong pills" but thankfully caught the mistake in time.

Weinstein expressed his desperation to leave Rikers Island, describing it as a "hellhole" and a "medieval situation." He urged the judge to expedite the trial, not just for himself, but for the sake of all inmates enduring the harsh conditions. "There are so many people suffering in Rikers Island," he stated. "They don’t have the same mouthpiece. It’s a something that has to be stopped."

Judge Farber acknowledged Weinstein's request and assured him he was working to move the trial forward, but currently, April 15th remains the scheduled date. Weinstein's representative, Juda Engelmayer, issued a statement to Fox News Digital expressing appreciation for Judge Farber's consideration of Weinstein's health. "He is literally batting for his life," Engelmayer stated. "We remain confident in a swift and efficient trial process and firmly believe that Harvey will be fully exonerated."

Weinstein's health has been a recurring concern. He was hospitalized in December after an "alarming blood test" revealed a leukemia diagnosis. His representative previously criticized the lack of adequate medical care Weinstein has received while incarcerated, calling it "cruel and unusual punishment."

Weinstein's legal team has consistently voiced concerns about his deteriorating health and the alleged lack of proper treatment. His lawyer, Arthur Aidala, expressed confidence in an acquittal, stating there is "a lot of light at the end of the tunnel" for Weinstein.

Weinstein's 2020 conviction on charges of rape and sexual assault was overturned in April 2024, leading to the upcoming retrial. The appeals court ruled that the trial judge erred by allowing testimony from women whose accusations were not directly related to the charges against him. Weinstein maintains his innocence, denying all allegations of non-consensual sex.