Harvey Weinstein retrial: Jury gridlocked in third day of deliberations
In the ongoing retrial against Harvey Weinstein for sexual abuse in New York, the jury has reached gridlock as they enter into the third day of deliberations and seemingly cannot reach a verdict.
According to the BBC on June 9th, the 12 jurors in the case are now fighting over their opposing viewpoints. The foreperson told Judge Curtis Farber about a “situation which isn’t very good.”
Weinstein was previously convicted of rape in his original case in 2020, but this charge was thrown out last year on the grounds of an unfair trial, hence the case has been recalled to debate again.
The foreperson reported that the jurors were “attacking” each other and were “not on the same page” about the current case, with some attempting to use previous evidence against Weinstein in their deliberations.
Judge Farber then reminded the jurors to only discuss evidence presented to them relating to the three charges being retried, adding, “That is the only thing that it can be used for in their deliberations, only the evidence introduced at this trial,” according to the court transcript.
In response to these events, the legal team for the former producer filed for a mistrial, but this was denied by the judge.
When initial accusations against Weinstein came to light in 2017, he was alleged to have abused over 100 women working across the film industry, prompting widespread outrage and the resurgence of the #MeToo movement.
The current retrial relates to charges against three women – a former television production assistant, an aspiring actress, and a model – who have all accused Weinstein of sexual abuse in light of the uneven power dynamic between them.
The 73-year-old denies all the charges against him and has pleaded not guilty in the retrial, stating in a recent interview from prison that he has been “wrongfully convicted.”
Deliberations for the case continue, with jurors noting that they were finally making “some progress” by the end of the day on June 9th.
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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