A New York judge has called for convicted sex offender Harvey Weinstein to face a retrial before the end of this year over allegations he raped actress Jessica Mann.
In June a mistrial was declared in the case after a jury failed to reach a verdict amid chaotic scenes that saw the foreperson refuse to continue deliberating following what they alleged were threats from a fellow juror. Weinstein denies any wrongdoing in the case.
Newsweek contacted Weinstein’s attorney for comment on Thursday via email outside of regular office hours.
Why It Matters
In 2017 a series of sexual assault allegations were made against Weinstein, a celebrated film producer, sparking the global #MeToo movement, which saw a number of prominent men accused of sexual abuse.
Weinstein was convicted of rape by a New York court in 2020 and ordered to serve 23 years in prison. However in 2024 New York’s highest court overturned the conviction after concluding the judge prejudiced the jury by allowing women who had made assault allegations against Weinstein that were not included in the case to testify.
What To Know
On Wednesday New York Judge Curtis Farber, who is presiding over the Mann case, said he wants a retrial to take place before the end of this year according to NBC News.
In June a jury found Weinstein guilty of sexually assaulting Miriam Haley, a former Project Runway production assistant, but he was acquitted on similar charges against former Polish model Kaja Sokola.
Pool/GETTY
However a mistrial was declared on a charge related to Mann after the jury struggled to reach a verdict, with the foreman telling the court a fellow juror had appeared to threaten him by commenting “you know me, you are going to see me outside.”
Judge Farber has said he doesn’t want to sentence Weinstein over the Haley case until a retrial is held over the Mann accusations.
Weinstein denied the assault allegations against Mann, Haley and Sokola stating sexual interactions with his accusers had been “consensual” and “transactional.”
Separately in December 2022 Weinstein was found guilty of rape in California and sentenced to 16 years in prison. He denied any wrongdoing in the case and is currently appealing.
Weinstein is being held in New York’s Rikers Island prison, which he has described as a “hell hole.” In September 2024 he underwent heart surgery and spent time in a secure hospital unit.
What People Are Saying
Weinstein’s attorney Arthur Aidala has urged prosecutors to drop the Mann case commenting: “In the big picture, even if Mr. Weinstein got convicted of Jessica Mann, there would probably be very little effect on what his ultimate sentence would be.”
Aidala said Weinstein would plead not guilty in a retrial as he “doesn’t want the word rape associated with him in any way, shape or form.”
Speaking to a judge in January Weinstein said: “I can’t hold on anymore. I’m holding on because I want justice for myself and I want this to be over with.”
What Happens Next?
Judge Farber has yet to announce a date for the retrial. Weinstein is not expected to be sentenced over the Miriam Haley case until this has taken place.