NEW YORK — As deliberations in Harvey Weinstein’s retrial on sex crime charges entered their fourth day, jurors appeared to focus their attention on one of the accusers, Jessica Mann. This development came after a previously observed interpersonal tension among the jurors seemed to have subsided.
On Tuesday, the jury began requesting electronic copies of emails and evidence linked to Mann, whose association with Weinstein is arguably the most intricate among the three accusers in the case. Their day of deliberation concluded with a request to review a crucial segment of Mann’s testimony again on Wednesday. Additionally, they showed interest in revisiting emails and examining some medical records related to her reaction to other women’s allegations against Weinstein.
In her testimony, Mann claimed that the Oscar-winning film producer raped her in 2013 within the framework of an otherwise consensual relationship that persisted for several years thereafter. Weinstein’s defense team highlighted the continued communication between Mann and Weinstein, pointing to her acceptance of invitations and affectionate messages sent to him. Mann countered these claims by explaining that she had “compartmentalized” the trauma he inflicted on her.
At 73, Weinstein has denied all allegations, pleading not guilty to the current charges. Besides the rape accusation concerning Mann, he is also charged with sexually assaulting Mimi Haley and Kaja Sokola. Through his attorneys, Weinstein has maintained that his interactions with the accusers were consensual and that they were seeking his assistance in kickstarting showbiz careers.
A towering figure in the movie industry, Weinstein’s downfall began after sexual misconduct allegations emerged publicly in 2017. These revelations contributed to the momentum of the #MeToo movement and eventually resulted in criminal charges.
The current jury, consisting of seven women and five men, embarked on their closed-door discussions last Thursday, experiencing moments of apparent discord. On Friday, one juror requested to be excused, citing unfair treatment of a fellow juror. Then, on Monday, the foreperson raised concerns about some members allegedly attempting to sway others’ decisions, discussing Weinstein’s past, and exceeding the bounds of the present charges.
While the foreperson didn’t elaborate on these conversations, the trial has touched on some allegations outside the current charges, such as references to the broader accusations leveled against Weinstein starting in 2017. Nevertheless, another juror soon offered a brighter perspective, assuring the court that “things were going well.” By the close of Monday, the jury reported “making good progress.”
Tuesday saw some progress on a simpler front: Judge Curtis Farber noted jurors were eventually provided with coffee, a request initially thought to be out of reach for the state court.
In 2020, Weinstein was initially found guilty in New York of raping Mann and forcibly performing oral sex on Haley. Sokola’s accusation was subsequently added last year after New York’s highest court overturned the conviction and mandated a retrial.
Meanwhile, Weinstein is in the process of appealing a separate 2022 rape conviction in Los Angeles. While the media typically refrains from naming individuals who report sexual assault without their consent, Sokola, Mann, and Haley have agreed to be identified.