Additional Coverage:
- Harvey Weinstein back in court after feeling ill as jury deliberates in his rape retrial (apnews.com)
NEW YORK – Harvey Weinstein returned to the courtroom Thursday as jurors resumed their deliberations in his rape retrial, following a brief interruption caused by the former film producer experiencing chest pains the previous day.
At 74 years old and with a known history of heart issues, Weinstein appeared pale but alert when wheeled into court, assuring those present that he felt “good, fine.”
The disruption occurred Wednesday after jurors, who had been deliberating for several hours, requested to revisit parts of accuser Jessica Mann’s testimony along with a detailed timeline of emails and other evidence presented by the prosecution. During discussions on how to address the jurors’ request, Weinstein’s attorney, Marc Agnifilo, was informed that Weinstein was experiencing chest pains. Consequently, Weinstein was not brought into the courtroom, and Judge Curtis Farber sent the jurors home earlier than expected, citing “unforeseen reasons.”
On Thursday, jurors reviewed the requested testimony and evidence before resuming closed-door deliberations. Weinstein was then taken back to the holding area.
The testimony under review included a key moment highlighted by the defense during closing arguments, where Mann described “spacing out” when questioned about why she did not want friends to know about any sexual encounter with Weinstein. The defense suggested this was motivated by concerns over reputation rather than an account of rape – which Weinstein denies ever occurred.
Mann, 40, has testified that while she engaged in some consensual sexual interactions with Weinstein when he was married, she was subjected to unwanted sexual acts in a Manhattan hotel room in March 2013 after repeatedly refusing consent. Weinstein’s legal team maintains the encounter was consensual, pointing out that Mann continued to see Weinstein afterward and maintained a warm attitude toward him. Mann has expressed complex and conflicted feelings about their relationship and the events that transpired.
Her perspective shifted in 2017 amid a wave of sexual misconduct allegations against Weinstein, which helped ignite the #MeToo movement focused on holding powerful men accountable for sexual misconduct. Weinstein has acknowledged acting inappropriately but denies assaulting anyone.
Some accusations have led to criminal convictions in New York and California. However, an appeals court overturned Weinstein’s 2020 New York conviction involving Mann and another accuser.
A retrial last year ended without a verdict on Mann’s charges, prompting the current retrial. Weinstein faces one count of third-degree rape.
The current jury has heard nearly three weeks of testimony, including five days from Mann. Weinstein has not testified.
It is standard journalistic practice not to name sexual assault victims; however, Jessica Mann has consented to being identified in this case.