A mistrial was declared in the ongoing Harvey Weinstein case when one juror opted out of further deliberation, prompting a retrial for a 2013 rape charge involving actress Jessica Mann.
Mistrial Declared in Weinstein Trial Over Juror Dispute
Mistrial Declared in Weinstein Trial Over Juror Dispute
Juror's refusal to continue leads to retrial of rape charge against Harvey Weinstein
The article text:
A New York judge has declared a mistrial regarding a rape charge in Harvey Weinstein's sex crimes trial after a single juror refused to return to the jury room. This decision follows deliberations about an alleged attack in 2013 on actress Jessica Mann. During the trial, the jury had found Weinstein guilty of one count of sexual assault but not guilty of another, with discussions continuing over the final rape charge when the juror withdrew.
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg announced that his office is prepared to retry the rape charge, marking the third trial for Weinstein in New York. This mistrial comes on the heels of an earlier overturned sex crimes conviction in the state when new charges were reinstated last September. Jessica Mann expressed her determination to testify again, stating, "I am ready, willing and able to endure this as many times as it takes for justice and accountability to be served. Today is not the end of my fight."
Tensions had been evident during deliberations, with the jury foreperson raising concerns about jurors “attacking” each other and escalating confrontations. Reports indicated threats and anger within the jury, leading Judge Curtis Farber to declare a mistrial after the foreperson voiced fears about returning to discussions.
Weinstein's spokesperson highlighted the belief that the conviction could be overturned due to "gross juror misconduct." With over eight years of allegations and multiple trials, Weinstein's legal challenges remain extensive. The 73-year-old has seen his earlier conviction overturned by an appellate court last April, based on issues concerning the fairness of his 2020 trial.
The current trial featured testimonies from three women, including Mann, who all allege that Weinstein exploited his professional influence to sexually abuse them. Notably, the jury convicted Weinstein of sexually assaulting another accuser, Miriam Haley, while acquitting him of charges brought forth by model Kaja Sokola.
Having accumulated more than 100 accusations from various women, including serious charges of misconduct, assault, and rape, Weinstein is anticipated to face severe consequences following his enhanced 16-year sentence stemming from a previous Los Angeles conviction. With health complications impacting his situation, including cancer and diabetes, he has been present in court using a wheelchair and has stayed at Bellevue Hospital instead of Riker's Island prison during this trial.
A New York judge has declared a mistrial regarding a rape charge in Harvey Weinstein's sex crimes trial after a single juror refused to return to the jury room. This decision follows deliberations about an alleged attack in 2013 on actress Jessica Mann. During the trial, the jury had found Weinstein guilty of one count of sexual assault but not guilty of another, with discussions continuing over the final rape charge when the juror withdrew.
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg announced that his office is prepared to retry the rape charge, marking the third trial for Weinstein in New York. This mistrial comes on the heels of an earlier overturned sex crimes conviction in the state when new charges were reinstated last September. Jessica Mann expressed her determination to testify again, stating, "I am ready, willing and able to endure this as many times as it takes for justice and accountability to be served. Today is not the end of my fight."
Tensions had been evident during deliberations, with the jury foreperson raising concerns about jurors “attacking” each other and escalating confrontations. Reports indicated threats and anger within the jury, leading Judge Curtis Farber to declare a mistrial after the foreperson voiced fears about returning to discussions.
Weinstein's spokesperson highlighted the belief that the conviction could be overturned due to "gross juror misconduct." With over eight years of allegations and multiple trials, Weinstein's legal challenges remain extensive. The 73-year-old has seen his earlier conviction overturned by an appellate court last April, based on issues concerning the fairness of his 2020 trial.
The current trial featured testimonies from three women, including Mann, who all allege that Weinstein exploited his professional influence to sexually abuse them. Notably, the jury convicted Weinstein of sexually assaulting another accuser, Miriam Haley, while acquitting him of charges brought forth by model Kaja Sokola.
Having accumulated more than 100 accusations from various women, including serious charges of misconduct, assault, and rape, Weinstein is anticipated to face severe consequences following his enhanced 16-year sentence stemming from a previous Los Angeles conviction. With health complications impacting his situation, including cancer and diabetes, he has been present in court using a wheelchair and has stayed at Bellevue Hospital instead of Riker's Island prison during this trial.
