Mistrial Declared in Harvey Weinstein’s Sex Crimes Retrial
New York, NY – A New York judge has declared a mistrial in the retrial of Harvey Weinstein concerning a third-degree rape charge, following significant turmoil among jurors. The decision was announced on Thursday by Manhattan Supreme Court Judge Curtis Farber, who cited the jury foreman’s refusal to continue deliberations after alleging that fellow jurors had pressured him.
Jury Tensions Emerge
The foreman expressed concerns about his safety in the jury room, indicating that he felt verbally attacked by other jurors as they attempted to influence his voting decision. When asked to rejoin the 11 other jurors, he declined, stating simply, “No, I’m sorry.” Judge Farber recognized the unusual tension within the deliberation process and eventually dismissed the jury after acknowledging the severity of their disagreements, commenting, “This one was more heated than most.”
Despite the turmoil, Farber noted that the remaining jurors expressed disappointment over the interruption but did not report any threats. Their accounts seemed to conflict with the foreman’s claims, highlighting the chaotic nature of the deliberation process.
The Charges Against Weinstein
The mistrial specifically related to an alleged assault on aspiring actress Jessica Mann in 2013. This charge is separate from Weinstein’s previous conviction for a criminal sexual act involving Mimi Haley and his acquittal on a similar charge involving Kaja Sokola.
Following the announcement, Weinstein reportedly expressed satisfaction, applauding three times when the foreman refused to return to the jury room.
Next Steps
The prosecution remains open to retrying the unresolved third-degree rape charge, whereas Weinstein’s defense attorney, Arthur Aidala, is advocating for its dismissal. The legal battle continues as Weinstein, already serving a 23-year sentence for a previous conviction in New York, faces ongoing scrutiny around his alleged sexual misconduct.
Developing updates regarding further legal actions and the timeline for potential retrial will be reported as they become available.
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