NEW YORK — A New York judge has declared a mistrial in the latest rape retrial involving Harvey Weinstein after jurors failed to reach a unanimous verdict on allegations brought by former actor and hairstylist Jessica Mann. The deadlock marks another major turn in the long-running legal proceedings tied to the #MeToo movement and leaves prosecutors weighing whether to pursue a fourth trial.
The retrial centered on Mann’s accusation that Weinstein raped her in a Manhattan hotel room in 2013 after what she described as a complicated and coercive relationship. Weinstein’s legal team argued throughout the proceedings that the relationship and sexual encounters were consensual.
Jury Unable to Reach Unanimous Decision
Judge Curtis Farber declared the mistrial after jurors reported they were hopelessly deadlocked following several days of deliberations. According to reports, the panel remained divided over whether prosecutors had proven the rape charge beyond a reasonable doubt.
Some jurors reportedly questioned inconsistencies in Mann’s testimony, while others supported the prosecution’s argument that Weinstein used his influence and power to manipulate aspiring women in the entertainment industry.
Mann testified during the trial that Weinstein “treated me like he owned me” and ignored her objections during the alleged assault. Defense attorneys highlighted continued communication between the two after the incident as evidence that the relationship was voluntary.
Third Trial Linked to Same Allegations
The case has now gone to trial three times. Weinstein was first convicted in New York in 2020 on sex crime charges involving Mann and another accuser. However, New York’s highest court overturned that conviction in 2024, ruling that prosecutors improperly introduced testimony unrelated to the formal charges.
A subsequent retrial resulted in a conviction on one criminal sex act charge connected to another accuser, but jurors remained divided over Mann’s rape allegation, leading to the latest proceedings.
Prosecutors from the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office said they would consult with Mann before deciding whether to seek another retrial. District Attorney Alvin Bragg praised her willingness to testify repeatedly despite years of public scrutiny and legal proceedings.
Weinstein Remains Behind Bars
Although the mistrial leaves the rape allegation unresolved, Weinstein remains imprisoned because of separate convictions. He is currently serving a 16-year sentence in California after being convicted in 2022 of rape and sexual assault charges there.
The former Hollywood producer continues to appeal both his California conviction and other remaining New York convictions. Legal observers say the repeated mistrials underscore the challenges prosecutors face in older sexual assault cases where juries must weigh conflicting testimony and complicated personal relationships.
