New York Judge Declares Third Mistrial in Harvey Weinstein Rape Case
A New York judge has declared a mistrial in the rape case against Harvey Weinstein, marking the third time a jury has failed to reach a unanimous verdict in the matter. The Manhattan jury informed the court they were "hopelessly deadlocked" after three days of deliberations.
The month-long trial centred on allegations that Weinstein, 74, raped aspiring actress Jessica Mann in a hotel room more than ten years ago. Weinstein, who remains incarcerated on separate charges, was previously convicted of raping Mann, but that verdict was overturned by an appeals court in 2024, citing an unfair trial due to the inclusion of testimony from women whose allegations were beyond the scope of the charges.
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg stated that prosecutors are now considering their next steps, in consultation with Ms Mann, and will factor in Weinstein's pending sentencing in a separate sexual assault case. Weinstein's legal team argued the outcome demonstrated the pervasive "public perception and prejudice" surrounding their client, suggesting it made a 'not guilty' verdict emotionally or socially impossible for some jurors.
This latest development follows a pattern of legal setbacks for prosecutors in New York regarding Weinstein. A prior retrial in 2023 also ended in a mistrial. Weinstein has consistently denied wrongdoing in the face of over 100 allegations of sexual misconduct, assault, and rape. While not all accusations have led to criminal charges, his conviction in California means he is likely to spend the remainder of his life in prison. The initial allegations against Weinstein were a significant catalyst for the #MeToo movement.
