Jury selection began on April 14 in the retrial of disgraced film producer Harvey Weinstein, who faces a single rape charge stemming from an alleged 2013 assault in a Manhattan hotel room. The case centers on accusations by actress and hairstylist Jessica Mann, marking the third time jurors will deliberate the charge after previous trials resulted in a deadlocked jury and a mistrial.
Weinstein, 74, has maintained his innocence, stating in court that he acted wrongly but never assaulted anyone. The upcoming trial will differ from previous proceedings by focusing solely on Mann’s allegations, rather than the broader array of accusations presented in earlier trials. Judge Curtis Farber has indicated he may revisit rulings on evidence related to Weinstein and Mann’s interactions over the years.
Weinstein’s legal team has recently changed, with Marc Agnifilo replacing longtime attorney Arthur Aidala. Agnifilo, known for a more buttoned-up approach compared to Aidala’s folksy style, could alter the trial’s tactics. Weinstein’s spokesman, Juda Engelmayer, expressed hope for a fair process, stating that the facts would vindicate his client.
The trial follows years of legal battles for Weinstein, who was convicted on some charges in New York and Los Angeles but remains imprisoned regardless of the outcome of this retrial. Weinstein’s influence in Hollywood was once significant, with hits like Shakespeare in Love and Pulp Fiction, but his reputation was tarnished by the #MeToo movement after allegations emerged in 2017.