Harvey Weinstein’s Trial Ends in Mistrial
The jury in Harvey Weinstein’s trial refused to return to the jury room on Thursday, citing threats from other jurors. This led to a mistrial being declared in the case.
Background of the Trial
Weinstein was found guilty on Wednesday of one count of a criminal sexual act against former "Project Runway" assistant Miriam Haley, but not guilty of another count of a criminal sexual act against former model Kaja Sokola. These convictions stand.
Prosecutors to Retry Weinstein
After the mistrial was declared, prosecutors announced that they plan to retry Weinstein on the rape charge, which involves emerging actress Jessica Mann. A hearing on the matter has been set for July 2.
Charges Against Weinstein
Weinstein was charged with third-degree rape and two counts of first-degree criminal sexual acts. The rape charge carries a prison sentence of up to four years, while the other charges have a maximum prison sentence of 25 years.
Tensions in the Jury Room
The jury had been deliberating for five days when they were sent home on Wednesday due to concerns about fighting and tensions in the jury room. The jury foreman told the court that he was afraid to return to the jury room, citing threats from other jurors.
Foreman’s Concerns
The foreman said that other jurors had tried to intimidate him into making a decision, and when he refused, they made threatening comments. He told the court that he was concerned for his own safety.
Other Jurors’ Reactions
When the mistrial was declared, the other jurors expressed disappointment that deliberations had not continued. They did not understand why the foreman had refused to return to the jury room.
Weinstein’s Reaction
Weinstein himself addressed the court on Wednesday, asking the judge for a mistrial. He said that the situation was "not fair" and that his life was at stake.
Previous Trials
This is not the first time Weinstein has faced trial. In 2020, he was convicted of rape and sexual assault, but the conviction was overturned on appeal. The district attorney of Manhattan, Alvin Bragg, pursued a retrial, which led to the current case.
Testimony from Jessica Mann
In the current trial, Jessica Mann testified that she met Weinstein in 2013 at a party in Hollywood. She said that he invited her to his hotel room, where he performed unwanted oral sex. Despite this incident, Mann said that she decided to start a relationship with him.
The Alleged Incident
The indictment against Weinstein refers to an incident in March 2013, in which Mann claims that he raped her in a hotel room in Manhattan. She said that she had met him for breakfast with friends, but he booked a room and invited her up. Despite her protests, he grabbed her arms and told her to undress.
Mann’s Statement
After the mistrial was declared, Mann released a statement saying that she was ready to take the stand again. She said that she would not give up and would continue to fight for justice and accountability.
