In a significant courtroom decision in New York City, Harvey Weinstein has been found guilty once more, facing conviction on a leading charge related to sex crimes. This development follows five years after his initial guilty verdict, which a higher court nullified the previous year.
During deliberations, the jury delivered positions on two of the charges, acquitting Weinstein of one. However, they have not yet reached a consensus on the third charge, indicating that more discussions are expected. The resolution came vividly on the fifth day of deliberations.
Tension rose when the jury foreperson claimed that he experienced bullying from fellow jurors, prompting Weinstein’s lawyer to request a mistrial. Weinstein personally addressed the judge, absent the jury, asking for a dismissal of the trial without reaching a verdict. Shortly afterward, the jury proclaimed the 73-year-old guilty of a criminal sex act, carrying a possible 25-year sentence. Weinstein continues to deny all allegations of sexual assault, maintaining plans to appeal post-sentencing.
Key points from the verdict:
Weinstein was convicted of forcing oral sex on Miriam Haley, a television and film producer as well as a production assistant, in an incident dating back nearly two decades. Haley recounted the assault in July 2006, detailing how she visited Weinstein’s SoHo residence at his invitation, only for the visit to turn violent.
During the trial, Haley, who was briefly associated with the Weinstein-produced show “Project Runway,” shared that Weinstein led her into a bedroom and forced oral sex upon her despite her objections. This charge mirrors one from Weinstein’s first trial, underscoring his pattern of behavior. Haley noted that despite declining interest in a personal relationship, she hoped to leverage Weinstein’s influence professionally. Although she maintained contact post-incident, she disavowed seeking intimacy.
The jury acquitted Weinstein regarding a charge linked to Kaja Sokola, a former model and current psychologist, who claimed he assaulted her close to her 20th birthday in 2006. Notably not involved in the initial trial, Sokola shared how Weinstein lured her to his hotel room under pretenses of discussing a script. She detailed his aggressive actions and overwhelming force, a traumatic experience that haunted her for years.
Sokola, now 39, testified about another incident at age 16 that fell beyond legal limitations for prosecution. Her revelations about Weinstein came to light during his first trial, prompting an investigation revival after the original conviction was annulled. Sokola harbored acting aspirations, which influenced her decision to continue contact with Weinstein.
Still undecided, the jury has not reached a conclusion on an additional rape allegation from Jessica Mann. Mann stated Weinstein assaulted her in March 2013, sharing that he trapped her in his hotel suite, forcing her compliance after she suspected he used medication to facilitate his attack. Despite a historically consensual relationship, Mann depicted a violent side of Weinstein when she rejected him, yet continued contact to maintain professional opportunities.
The retrial was necessitated by the New York Court of Appeals, which overturned Weinstein’s 2020 conviction citing unfair trial conditions due to the inclusion of uncharged allegations and prejudicial information allowed in court. This court’s decision underscored the judicial balance between evidence admission and character attacks on defendants.
Concurrently, Weinstein challenges a separate 2022 Los Angeles conviction concerning similar charges. His appeal argues that the California trial was compromised by references to his overturned New York conviction and the admission of stories of non-charged allegations, which they claim skewed the jury’s perspective.