Jurors resumed their deliberations in the rape retrial of Harvey Weinstein on Thursday after the 74-year-old former film mogul, who has a well-documented history of heart issues, experienced chest pains at the courthouse the previous day. Despite looking pale, Weinstein appeared alert and reassured those present that he felt “good, fine” as he was wheeled into the courtroom.
During Wednesday’s proceedings, jurors requested to rehear testimony from accuser Jessica Mann and review a timeline of evidence presented by the prosecution. However, Weinstein’s reported health scare led to an early dismissal of the jury, with Judge Curtis Farber citing “unforeseen reasons.”
On Thursday, the jury received the sought-after information and returned to their deliberations while Weinstein was taken back to a holding area. The focus of the testimony included moments highlighted by Weinstein’s attorney, Marc Agnifilo, who underscored Mann’s statement that she was “spacing out” during questioning about her reasons for not disclosing sexual interactions with Weinstein to friends. The defense argues this was out of concern for her reputation rather than a result of any alleged rape.
Jessica Mann, who testified for five days, acknowledged consensual sexual encounters with Weinstein but asserted that he coerced her into unwanted sex in a Manhattan hotel room in March 2013. The defense maintains the encounter was consensual, pointing to Mann’s ongoing interactions and expressions of warmth toward Weinstein afterward, which Mann attributed to mixed feelings about the situation.
Mann’s perspective shifted in 2017 amid a wave of sexual misconduct allegations against Weinstein that fueled the #MeToo movement. Weinstein has admitted to inappropriate behavior but denies any non-consensual acts. These allegations have led to convictions in both New York and California.
Weinstein’s previous conviction in New York, involving charges related to Mann and another accuser, was overturned by an appeals court. A subsequent retrial ended without a verdict on Mann’s claims, prompting the current retrial where Weinstein faces one count of third-degree rape. The jury has been presented with nearly three weeks of testimony, although Weinstein did not testify himself.
It is standard practice for the Associated Press to withhold the identity of sexual assault survivors unless they choose to be named, as Mann has.
