Harvey Weinstein accuser breaks silence after mistrial declared: “I deserve justice”
Jessica Mann, the woman who accused Harvey Weinstein of rape, has shared a statement of resilience after the legal proceedings against the disgraced filmmaker ended in a mistrial.
The former movie mogul was being tried on one count of rape in connection with the hairstylist, which allegedly took place in 2013. Weinstein denied the charge, which once again ended in a mistrial on May 15th.
In a statement shared with Far Out, Mann shared that the mistrial “doesn’t in any way detract from the truth I told and the violent crimes Harvey Weinstein committed upon me and so many others. I chose to testify in three trials because I am telling the truth.”
The trial concluded after three days of deliberations, when the predominantly male Manhattan jury informed Judge Curtis Farber they could not achieve a unanimous verdict.
Mann’s reactionary statement added, “For years I have had to relive some of the hardest moments of my life while facing attempts to shame, humiliate and discredit me in open court. I submitted myself to the highest standards, transparency, and accountability in coming forward through the justice system – choosing integrity even when the process flayed me open.
Mann concluded, “The power of predators remains too great. I deserve justice, which is why I stand up and face unbearable public scrutiny in the name of a greater good – a world where predators are not in power.”
This time around in court was the third on the charge that Weinstein raped Mann; in 2020, he was convicted of raping the aspiring actor, as well as former production assistant Miriam “Mimi” Haleyi.
However, after the initial conviction, the verdict was overturned. A judge declared a mistrial after a second trial last year.
As per the BBC, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg has shared, “While we are disappointed that the proceedings ended with a mistrial, we deeply respect the jury system and sincerely thank all of the jurors for their time and dedication.”
Weinstein is currently serving his sentence on account of his rape charges in Rikers Island in New York. He will then serve a further 16 years for his rape charges in California.
For help, advice or more information regarding sexual harassment, assault and rape in the UK, visit the Rape Crisis charity website. In the US, visit RAINN.
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