Harvey Weinstein’s retrial in New York on a rape charge ended in a mistrial on Friday after the jury failed to reach a unanimous verdict. The deadlock marks the second time a jury has been unable to decide on the charge involving hairstylist and actor Jessica Mann.
The 74-year-old former Hollywood producer, already serving a prison sentence for other sex crimes, was accused of raping Mann in 2013. The jury, composed largely of men, deliberated for three days before informing Judge Curtis Farber that they could not agree on a verdict. The judge initially instructed them to continue, but they remained deadlocked.
Weinstein’s lawyers argued that the sexual encounter was consensual, pointing to Mann’s continued contact with him afterward. Mann testified that she had willingly engaged in some sexual interludes with Weinstein but that the encounter in question was unwanted after she repeatedly said no. She said her perspective changed in 2017 amid the #MeToo movement.
This mistrial follows the overturning of Weinstein’s 2020 conviction on appeal last year and a previous mistrial on the same charge. He remains incarcerated at Rikers Island and has reported health issues, including chest pains during proceedings. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg expressed disappointment but thanked the jurors for their service, adding that his office would consider next steps in consultation with Mann.
