Harvey Weinstein’s New York retrial took a shocking turn after a juror claimed they felt threatened by other members of the panel, leading a judge to declare a mistrial in one of the most serious rape charges against the disgraced Hollywood mogul.
The charge, tied to actress Jessica Mann’s accusations of rape in a New York City hotel room back in 2013, was tossed on Thursday, June 12, after the jury foreperson refused to return to court.
“I feel afraid inside there. I can’t be inside there,” the foreperson told Judge Curtis Farber, citing pressure and intimidation from fellow jurors during deliberations. “Oh, we will see you outside,” one juror allegedly warned after the foreperson held firm in their dissenting opinion.
Tensions Explode in the Jury Room
On Wednesday, June 11, the same jury convicted Weinstein of sexually assaulting Miriam Haley, a former Project Runway production assistant. But they acquitted him of charges tied to former model Kaja Sokola — even as Sokola gave graphic testimony of alleged abuse.
Yet the panel couldn’t reach a verdict on the Mann rape charge. According to sources in the courtroom, tensions in the jury room erupted, leading to shouting matches and what some described as a “toxic environment.”
After the foreperson refused to return the next day, the judge had little choice but to declare a mistrial.
Prosecutors Ready for Round Two
Despite the setback, prosecutors say they’re far from done.
“Jessica Mann is ready and willing and wants to retry this count,” officials announced. A new hearing is scheduled for July 2.
Weinstein, now 73, denied all allegations throughout the trial. His legal team claimed the sexual encounters were consensual and based on “transactional” relationships typical of Hollywood power dynamics.
Weinstein Lashes Out in Court
Before the mistrial, Weinstein couldn’t contain his frustration. “This is not right for me, the person on trial here,” he told Judge Farber. “It’s not fair. It’s just not fair.”
Even though he avoided conviction on Sokola’s charge and saw the Mann case collapse — for now — he’s still facing up to 25 years behind bars for the conviction tied to Haley.
Sokola’s Haunting Testimony
During the trial, Sokola delivered heartbreaking testimony. She claimed Weinstein raped her just before her 20th birthday and sexually assaulted her again when she was just 16.
“He pinned me to the bed… it was like a rock was on me. My legs were becoming numb,” Sokola told the court. “He forced himself on my vagina – he raped me… I felt like I was dead. My hope had died.”
She also testified that Weinstein bragged about making stars like Gwyneth Paltrow and Penelope Cruz famous while using promises of success to manipulate her.
What’s Next for Weinstein
Now held at Rikers Island and battling numerous health issues including diabetes and heart problems, Weinstein faces a long road ahead. With a new trial likely, and other legal battles still looming, the fallen producer’s fight is far from over.
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