NEW YORK (AP) — After years of #MeToo infamy, legal peril and prison, Harvey Weinstein is again going on trial on a rape charge in New York City.
Jury selection is set to start as early as Tuesday in the onetime movie mogul’s latest retrial, where jurors will weigh — for the third time — whether he raped hairstylist and actor Jessica Mann in a Manhattan hotel in 2013.
New Weinstein lawyer Marc Agnifilo stated that the trial will not mirror previous ones, as jurors will only consider the evidence related to Mann, not the multitude of allegations from past prosecutions. Weinstein has continued to deny all allegations, asserting he has acted wrongly but never assaulted anyone.
Judge Curtis Farber has indicated potential revisits of rulings related to evidence about interactions between Weinstein and Mann. Agnifilo's recent appointment may also influence trial strategies.
Weinstein has faced significant scrutiny following numerous accusations that emerged in 2017, sparking global movements against sexual misconduct. His previous trial concluded with a mixed verdict, leading to this retrial.
Mann described a consensual yet complicated relationship with Weinstein, ultimately escalating to a moment where she felt pressured and violated. Although Weinstein has consistently denied any non-consensual sexual encounters, claims from victims highlight a narrative of exploitation enabled by his former Hollywood power.
With new representation and a singular focus on one charge, this retrial could mark a significant turning point for Weinstein. His legal team argues the previous jurors were influenced and aims to refine their strategy amid ongoing appeals related to prior verdicts.
The outcome of this trial could serve as a pivotal moment in Weinstein’s tumultuous legal saga, which began with his fall from grace in one of Hollywood’s most consequential #MeToo cases to date.
