The retrial of Harvey Weinstein on a r@pe charge has begun in Manhattan, following the collapse of a previous trial in which jurors were unable to reach a unanimous verdict.
Weinstein, 74, is accused of the third-degree r@pe of Jessica Mann, an actress who appeared in the 2015 film “This Isn’t Funny.” The earlier trial ended in a mistrial last June after the jury foreperson refused to continue deliberations amid internal disputes.
The retrial is being overseen by Curtis Farber, with jury selection now underway and expected to take several days before a panel of 12 jurors is finalised. Weinstein’s spokesperson Juda Engelmayer said ahead of proceedings: “He is hopeful and expects a fair process where the facts will vindicate him.”
Despite the retrial, Weinstein will remain behind bars regardless of the outcome. He is currently serving a 16-year prison sentence in California for a separate r@pe conviction involving a European actress, which he is appealing, with a hearing scheduled for April 23.
Appearing in court in a wheelchair due to ongoing health issues, Weinstein looked frail as he was brought before potential jurors. He wore a dark suit and grey tie and briefly spoke to confirm agreement with a legal matter before proceedings continued.
The case is part of a wider series of legal battles that followed numerous s3xual ass@ult allegations made public against Weinstein in 2017, which helped ignite the global “MeToo” movement.
In the previous trial, Weinstein was convicted of s3xual ass@ult against producer Miriam Haley, a verdict he is also appealing. He was acquitted of s3xual ass@ult allegations involving Polish-born actress Kaja Sokola.
Judge Farber ruled that Weinstein cannot be cross-examined about convictions currently under appeal during this retrial. Weinstein has assembled a new legal team, including Jacob Kaplan and Marc Agnifilo, the latter known for representing high-profile clients such as Sean “Diddy” Combs.
The former film producer has also raised concerns about his safety while being held at Rikers Island in New York. In an interview earlier this year, he said: “I’m constantly threatened and derided. I wouldn’t last long out there.” He added: “I fell on the floor, bleeding everywhere. I was hurt really badly,” alleging he had been assaulted while waiting to use a telephone in the facility.
The retrial is expected to focus on the remaining unresolved charge involving Mann, as the court determines whether prosecutors can secure a conviction following the earlier deadlock.