Harvey Weinstein Hires High-Profile Lawyers for Third New York Rape Trial
Harvey Weinstein has hired the legal representatives of Luigi Mangione and Sean "Diddy" Combs to defend him at his third New York rape trial, dramatically recasting his defense team after he declined to resolve the matter through a guilty plea. The lawyers, Jacob Kaplan, Marc Agnifilo, and Teny Geragos, confirmed this strategic move in court papers filed on Tuesday, taking over from Weinstein's longtime attorney, Arthur Aidala.
Legal Team Shake-Up and Background
Arthur Aidala, who has represented Weinstein since his original trial and through the appeals process, will now focus on the former studio boss's appeals and pending civil matters, stepping back from the courtroom role. Jacob Kaplan, a member of Weinstein's original defense team in 2018, is expected to play a leading role in the defense at the third trial. This trial involves a charge that the Oscar-winning producer raped hairstylist and actor Jessica Mann in a Manhattan hotel in 2013.
At a hearing in January, Weinstein maintained his innocence, stating he "never assaulted anyone" and expressing that his "spirit was breaking" after nearly six years of incarceration. The trial, originally scheduled to start on March 3, has been postponed without a new date set, with Weinstein due in court on March 4 for a status conference. Legal publication Law360 first reported this significant legal team shake-up.
High-Profile Legal Experience
Jacob Kaplan and Marc Agnifilo are currently representing Luigi Mangione in his parallel state and federal cases related to the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. They successfully had terrorism charges dismissed in the state case and prevented the death penalty in the federal case. Meanwhile, Agnifilo and Teny Geragos represented Sean "Diddy" Combs, securing a split verdict and acquittals on sex trafficking and racketeering charges.
Currently, they are among the lawyers defending wealthy brothers Alon, Oren, and Tal Alexander at their sex trafficking trial in Manhattan federal court. Kaplan, Agnifilo, and Geragos are all partners at the Manhattan firm Agnifilo Intrater, bringing a wealth of high-profile case experience to Weinstein's defense.
Previous Trials and Convictions
In a messy split verdict last June, Weinstein was convicted of forcing oral sex on one woman, Miriam Haley, acquitted of forcibly performing oral sex on another woman, Kaja Sokola, and the jury did not reach a decision on the rape charge involving Jessica Mann. Deliberations ended abruptly when the foreperson refused to participate further. Weinstein and his lawyers argued that the retrial verdict was tainted by infighting and bullying among jurors, but Judge Curtis Farber, who will also oversee the third trial, rejected this, stating Weinstein had a fair trial.
At his first trial in 2020, Weinstein was convicted of raping Mann and forcing oral sex on Haley, but New York's highest court overturned those convictions and ordered last year's retrial. The Court of Appeals ruled that Weinstein was prejudiced by testimony about allegations not part of the case.
Future Legal Proceedings
Weinstein spokesperson Juda Engelmayer commented, "Harvey believes that, after two prior trials on this matter, a recalibrated outlook and strategic approach offers the most effective path forward." Arthur Aidala emphasized their continued advocacy, saying, "Our work does not end here. We will continue to advocate forcefully on his behalf in the appellate courts, where we are confident that serious legal errors will be addressed and his most significant conviction will ultimately be overturned."
Kaplan, Agnifilo, and Geragos are juggling several high-profile cases, including Mangione's state trial set to begin on June 8, which could impact the timing of Weinstein's trial. Prosecutors have indicated that even without accusers other than Mann, the trial could take up to five weeks.
Weinstein faces up to 25 years in prison for the first-degree criminal sex act conviction involving Miriam Haley. The unresolved third-degree rape charge involving Jessica Mann is punishable by up to four years—less than the time he has already served. The Oscar-winning producer has been incarcerated since his initial conviction in 2020 and is also appealing a separate prison sentence from a California case.
