A New York judge has denied Harvey Weinstein's request for a new trial following his 2020 sexual assault conviction, ruling that juror complaints regarding deliberation room conduct were appropriately managed. Separately, Mr. Weinstein is reportedly considering a guilty plea to resolve an undecided third-degree rape charge, which would allow him to avoid a third trial.
Denial of New Trial Request
On Thursday, Judge Curtis Farber denied Harvey Weinstein's motion to dismiss a recent sex crime conviction. The motion was based on claims of juror intimidation during deliberations in his 2020 trial. Judge Farber concluded that tensions among jurors had not reached a level warranting a dismissal and stated that Mr. Weinstein had received a fair trial.
Two jurors had previously provided sworn statements indicating initial doubts about Mr. Weinstein's guilt but reported yielding due to verbal pressure from other jurors. Judge Farber affirmed that the court's response to these complaints appropriately balanced investigating the allegations while avoiding unnecessary tainting of the deliberating jury.
Upcoming Retrial and Plea Discussions
Mr. Weinstein is currently consulting with his attorneys regarding a scheduled retrial for a rape count involving hairstylist and actor Jessica Mann. This charge relates to an alleged incident in a Manhattan hotel in 2013, for which a mistrial was previously declared after the jury failed to reach a unanimous verdict. The Manhattan District Attorney's office has announced its intention to retry Mr. Weinstein on this charge, with the retrial scheduled for early March.
Reports indicate Mr. Weinstein is considering a guilty plea to resolve this charge. His attorney, Arthur Aidala, stated outside court that Mr. Weinstein is "unenthusiastic about pleading guilty" but is weighing the option due to the demanding nature of trials and his health condition. Judge Farber indicated that he might override prosecutors' demands for a third trial if Mr. Weinstein accepts a guilty plea. Mr. Weinstein has a two-week period to confirm or reject plea discussions with prosecutors.
Mr. Aidala also suggested that the handling of the case might be influenced by Mr. Weinstein's public profile. Prosecutors, including Nicole Blumberg, denied these claims, asserting that the decision to pursue a third trial was not influenced by Mr. Weinstein's name but represented the pursuit of justice for sexual assault survivors in New York.
Prior Verdicts and Legal Arguments
In 2020, Mr. Weinstein was found guilty of forcing oral sex on Miriam Haley, a former production assistant on the television show "Project Runway," in 2006. He was acquitted of assaulting Kaja Sokola, also in 2006.
Multiple women have made accusations of abuse and sexual assaults against Mr. Weinstein throughout his career in the film industry. Mr. Weinstein, aged 73, has consistently denied all charges and maintained his innocence. During his most recent trial, his legal team argued that the encounters were consensual and transactional, suggesting that the women willingly participated in hopes of career advancement in entertainment.
Detention Conditions and Health
Mr. Weinstein has been detained at Rikers Island jail for nearly two years. He informed the court that daily life in the facility "feels like a slow march toward death" and described the isolation as "unbearable," citing his declining health. In a letter to the court, he stated he felt "broken, abandoned and terrified," claiming that "outside pressures and juror misconduct have turned this process into something that feels predetermined, not just flawed." He further characterized conditions at Rikers as "soul-crushing" and indicated his time awaiting trial was a "death sentence." A representative for Mr. Weinstein described him as "medically fragile and in legal limbo."
Broader Legal Context
This hearing represents the latest development in a legal case that has spanned seven years. Mr. Weinstein has undergone two trials in New York and one in California, where he was sentenced to 16 years in prison. He is currently appealing the California conviction.