Mistrial declared in Weinstein case over rape cost

[ad_1] A New York choose declared a mistrial on a rape cost in Harvey Weinstein's intercourse crimes trial after one juror refused to proceed deliberations over an alleged assault in 2013 on actress Jessica Mann.

The jury had discovered Weinstein responsible of 1 depend of sexual assault and never responsible of one other depend on Wednesday, however saved deliberating a few last rape cost.

Manhattan District Lawyer Alvin Bragg mentioned after the mistrial was introduced that his workplace plans to retry the rape cost once more - that means a 3rd trial for Weinstein in New York.

Thursday's mistrial got here after Weinstein's earlier intercourse crimes conviction within the state was overturned final yr, resulting in new prices final September.

The rape cost was introduced by actress Jessica Mann, who mentioned in a press release on Thursday that she was ready to testify once more.

"I've advised the District Lawyer I'm prepared, keen and capable of endure this as many occasions because it takes for justice and accountability to be served," she mentioned. "Right now just isn't the top of my battle."

At a information convention, Bragg mentioned that after the choose declared a mistrial, he "instantly knowledgeable the courtroom that we're able to go ahead to trial once more on that cost, after conferring with Jessica Mann".

A panel of seven feminine and 5 male jurors deliberated for six days within the six-week trial earlier than one juror on Thursday declined to proceed discussions.

Deliberations within the trial had been plagued with tensions. The jury foreperson introduced issues to the choose earlier this week, saying jurors had been "attacking" each other and making an attempt to vary his thoughts.

On Wednesday, he introduced extra complaints to the choose, indicating that "not less than one different juror made feedback to the impact of 'I will meet you exterior someday,' and there is yelling and screaming", Choose Curtis Farber advised the courtroom.

On Thursday, the foreperson mentioned he wouldn't return to the jury room to deliberate as a result of he was afraid of others yelling at him, so the choose declared a mistrial on the final rape cost.

"Typically jury deliberations turn out to be heated. I perceive this specific deliberation was extra wanted than some others," Choose Farber advised the 12-person jury, in accordance with US media.

In a press release, a Weinstein spokesperson mentioned his group believed the conviction could be "put aside" as a result of "gross juror misconduct".

"8 years, dozens of accusers, three trials, one conviction," spokesperson Juda Engelmayer mentioned. "Harvey is upset within the single verdict, however hasn't loss religion or the guts to proceed combating to clear his title."

An appeals courtroom overturned Weinstein's earlier conviction for intercourse crimes in New York final April, discovering the 73-year-old didn't obtain a good trial in 2020 as a result of a choose allowed testimony from ladies who made allegations towards him past the fees at hand.

The 2025 trial was based mostly on the testimony of three ladies - Ms Mann, former tv manufacturing assistant Miriam Haley, and Polish mannequin Kaja Sokola. All three accused Weinstein of utilizing his energy within the leisure trade to sexually abuse them. Ms Haley and Ms Mann each testified within the first trial towards Weinstein, when he was discovered responsible.

This time, the jury discovered Weinstein responsible of sexually assaulting Ms Haley, however acquitted him of assaulting Ms Sokola.

The most recent conviction is along with a 16-year sentence that Weinstein has but to serve after being convicted of intercourse crimes in Los Angeles.

Jury deliberations proved tense final week as nicely, when one juror mentioned others had been "shunning" one member of the panel, calling it "playground stuff".

The foreperson additionally claimed jurors had been contemplating Weinstein's previous and different allegations exterior the realm of the case in making choices.

This led the choose to offer the jury an instruction about solely contemplating the allegations within the case, and nothing else.

Weinstein - who has most cancers and diabetes - stayed at Bellevue Hospital somewhat than Riker's Island jail in the course of the trial. He sat in a wheelchair for the proceedings.

In complete, Weinstein has been accused of sexual misconduct, assault and rape by greater than 100 ladies. Whereas not all stories resulted in felony prices, the California conviction means he's more likely to spend the remainder of his life in jail.

Weinstein and his brother Bob had been among the many largest figures in Hollywood, founding Miramax movie studio, whose hits included Shakespeare in Love, which received the Oscar for finest image, and Pulp Fiction.