Sexually explicit photographs from encounters in which seven women say they were sexually assaulted were shown in open court as attorneys delivered opening statements in the long-delayed trial of “Scrubs” producer Eric Weinberg.
The images depict Weinberg’s accusers in various stages of undress, posing for his camera—sometimes provocatively and, in some cases, with smiles.
“You’re seeing what he’s seeing,” Weinberg’s high-profile lead attorney, Phillip Cohen, told jurors.
According to testimony, Weinberg, 66, invited the women to his palatial Los Feliz home and photographed them between 2014 and 2019 in locations that included the backyard, pool and bedroom.
One series of photographs taken by Weinberg in 2014 featured a woman identified as Kyra smiling and appearing relaxed shortly after she says the producer sexually assaulted her.
Prosecutors said Kyra is known to smile when she feels “nervous.”
Another series showed Weinberg’s hand around the neck of a woman identified as “Johanna,” who prosecutors say had agreed to pose for “tasteful nude photographs” on March 23, 2017.
“At the beginning of the shoot there were no red flags,” prosecutors said. They alleged that changed after the pair moved into an upstairs hallway.
“Weinberg gets closer, he says he likes her breasts, and she notices a change in his eyes. They look like predator eyes,” prosecutor Ariel Anson told the jury.
“There’s not one indication that Weinberg knew of anyone’s fear,” Cohen countered, referring to what the producer could see from behind the camera.
Anson also highlighted photographs taken in the backyard of Avian, a topless woman who is expected to testify that she made “micro-expressions” while continuing to pose half-naked after she was allegedly assaulted.
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“She was trying to signal to the camera that she’s not ok,” Anson said.
“Does he know her micro expressions?” Cohen later responded while defending his client.
The defense then displayed a graphic photograph showing Weinberg’s hands and the alleged victim’s hands on intimate parts of her naked body, arguing that the image suggested a consensual encounter.
Weinberg, wearing a blue suit and tie with glasses, watched as the explicit images appeared on a courtroom screen.
In opening statements, attorneys said Weinberg approached the women at places including Starbucks and Ralphs. He introduced himself as a Hollywood producer and amateur photographer seeking subjects.
“All of the information he exchanges in this case leads to Mr. Weinberg. No fake address to his house, no disposable phones, no fake email addresses, he tells them where he works,” Cohen said, arguing that this was “not a sign of a rapist.”
The producer, who also wrote “Californication,” starring David Duchovny, and produced nearly 100 episodes of “Scrubs,” faces 23 charges, including sexual battery and forcible rape.
Weinberg was arrested in October 2022 and initially released on $5 million bail.
A judge revoked his bail later that month after prosecutors filed additional charges. He has remained in Los Angeles County Jail ever since.
The jury is made up of eight men and four women in Downtown Los Angeles. The producer faces life in prison if convicted.
Weinberg claims all the encounters were consensual, based on the women’s conduct, words and actions, according to his defense team.