Creep or criminal? Sexual assault trial of TV writer begins

Opening statements began in the Los Angeles trial of Eric Weinberg, 66, a television writer known for 'Scrubs' and 'Californication,' who faces 23 counts across five charges including forcible rape and sexual battery from seven women. Prosecutors say Weinberg met young women in public, offered to photograph them as an amateur photographer, then moved from nude photos to uncomfortable, nonconsensual sexual acts once alone with them, showing jurors photographs they say depict this.

Defense attorney Philip Cohen conceded Weinberg is 'a creep, by many people's articulation' but argued none of the encounters met the legal standard requiring force, violence, duress or fear. One accuser, Rachel K., testified she froze and 'went through the motions' after Weinberg removed her clothing without permission; two women reported to police at the time but no charges followed until the case was reopened in 2022 after Weinberg's ex-wife and another woman pushed to revisit it.

The trial, expected to last about six weeks, will include testimony from all seven accusers plus the ex-wife and another woman who went public with a separate negative experience.

The full dispatch is available from the source below.