Eric Weinberg, the screenwriter and producer responsible for television comedies “Scrubs,” “Californication” and “Anger Management” went on trial for rape on Thursday.
Eight women will testify against Weinberg, according to Variety.
They’re expected to tell jurors that the 66-year-old scribe presented himself as an amateur photographer to lure women to his home in Los Feliz, Los Angeles, where they were sexually assaulted.
Wienberg is charged with 23 counts of rape and sexual assault. His trial will reportedly last as long as eight weeks.
Lawyers with the L.A. County Deputy District Attorney’s Office told jurors in their opening arguments that the defendant deceptively appeared to be a reputable and successful family man who could be trusted.
“In reality, the women were never safe,” prosecutor Ariel Anson said.
Weinberg’s legal team countered that there may be a “creep factor” in the testimony jurors will hear about the defendant, but said that doesn’t equal criminality.
The jury members who will determine Weinberg’s fate were reportedly shown explicit photos of his accusers that the prosecution identified as evidence of assaults taking place.
Defense attorney Philip Cohen argues there was no indication the women in those pictures taken between 2014 and 2019 were fearful. Some of the accusers are said to be smiling in the photos.
Weinberg’s defense team alleges his ex-wife worked with some of his accusers to punish him in criminal and civil courts.
Forensic psychologist Barbara Ziv is expected to tell jurors that Weinberg’s accusers may not have fought back or screamed because they wanted to escape the situation without further harm.
The screenwriter most recently penned the Nick Nolte and Sela Ward show “Graves,” according to IMDb. He’s also credited with writing for nearly 100 episodes of comedian Bill Maher’s ABC program “Politically Incorrect” between 1994 and 2002. He’s been in jail since 2022.