New York prosecutors seek to drop Harvey Weinstein rape charge
Manhattan prosecutors on Thursday moved to drop a third-degree rape charge against Harvey Weinstein after the woman accusing the disgraced movie mogul of assaulting her said she did not want to testify in what would have been a fourth trial.
Weinstein’s third trial in New York state court over an allegation that he raped aspiring actress Jessica Mann ended in a mistrial in May after jurors were unable to reach a unanimous verdict.
Mann accused Weinstein of raping her in a Manhattan hotel room in 2013 while Mann resisted and repeatedly said: “No.”
Weinstein, 74, had pleaded not guilty to one count of third-degree rape and has denied assaulting anyone or having non-consensual sex. A representative on Thursday said Weinstein was relieved by the outcome and believed the charge never should have been brought.
The office of the Manhattan district attorney, Alvin Bragg, said on Thursday that testifying before two grand juries and three trial juries had been an “extraordinarily taxing ordeal” for Mann and that she did not wish to take the stand again.
Bragg’s office also said it asked the court to sentence Weinstein to 20 years in prison for sexually assaulting one-time production assistant Miriam Haley.
Weinstein was convicted of raping Mann and assaulting Haley at his first trial in New York in 2020, but the state’s highest court overturned the conviction after concluding that he did not get a fair trial.
Weinstein, a former film producer and co-founder of the Miramax studio, has remained behind bars since his conviction was overturned because of his conviction in another case.
More than 80 women have accused Weinstein of sexual harassment or misconduct, allegations Weinstein denies.
Read the full story at The Guardian ↗
Manhattan prosecutors on Thursday moved to dismiss a third-degree rape charge against Harvey Weinstein after the accuser stated she would not testify in another trial. The charge relates to Jessica Mann's 2013 allegation that Weinstein assaulted her in a Manhattan hotel. Weinstein's third trial on this charge ended in mistrial in May when jurors could not unanimously agree. The prosecutor's office noted that Mann has testified before two grand juries and three trial juries, describing the process as taxing. Separately, prosecutors are seeking a 20-year prison sentence for Weinstein's conviction related to assaulting production assistant Miriam Haley. Weinstein's 2020 conviction was overturned by New York's highest court on grounds of trial fairness; he remains incarcerated due to another conviction. Weinstein, 74, has denied all allegations. Over 80 women have accused him of sexual misconduct.
Read the full story at The Guardian ↗
Manhattan prosecutors on Thursday moved to drop a third-degree rape charge against Harvey Weinstein after the woman accusing the disgraced movie mogul of assaulting her said she did not want to testify in what would have been a fourth trial.
Weinstein’s third trial in New York state court over an allegation that he raped aspiring actress Jessica Mann ended in a mistrial in May after jurors were unable to reach a unanimous verdict.
Mann accused Weinstein of raping her in a Manhattan hotel room in 2013 while Mann resisted and repeatedly said: “No.”
Weinstein, 74, had pleaded not guilty to one count of third-degree rape and has denied assaulting anyone or having non-consensual sex. A representative on Thursday said Weinstein was relieved by the outcome and believed the charge never should have been brought.
The office of the Manhattan district attorney, Alvin Bragg, said on Thursday that testifying before two grand juries and three trial juries had been an “extraordinarily taxing ordeal” for Mann and that she did not wish to take the stand again.
Bragg’s office also said it asked the court to sentence Weinstein to 20 years in prison for sexually assaulting one-time production assistant Miriam Haley.
Weinstein was convicted of raping Mann and assaulting Haley at his first trial in New York in 2020, but the state’s highest court overturned the conviction after concluding that he did not get a fair trial.
Weinstein, a former film producer and co-founder of the Miramax studio, has remained behind bars since his conviction was overturned because of his conviction in another case.
More than 80 women have accused Weinstein of sexual harassment or misconduct, allegations Weinstein denies.
Read the full story at The Guardian ↗
Manhattan prosecutors moved to drop a third-degree rape charge against Harvey Weinstein on Thursday The accuser, Jessica Mann, said she did not want to testify in a fourth trial Weinstein's third trial on this charge ended in mistrial in May with jurors unable to reach unanimous verdict Mann accused Weinstein of raping her in a Manhattan hotel in 2013 Testifying before two grand juries and three trial juries was an extraordinarily taxing ordeal for Mann Weinstein, 74, pleaded not guilty and denied assaulting anyone or having non-consensual sex Prosecutors are seeking a 20-year prison sentence for Weinstein's conviction related to assaulting production assistant Miriam Haley Weinstein's 2020 conviction was overturned by New York's highest court because he did not receive a fair trial More than 80 women have accused Weinstein of sexual harassment or misconduct
Read the full story at The Guardian ↗
- Manhattan prosecutors moved to drop a third-degree rape charge against Harvey Weinstein after the accuser declined to testify in a fourth trial
- The charge stems from a 2013 allegation by aspiring actress Jessica Mann; Weinstein's third trial on this charge ended in mistrial in May
- Weinstein's 2020 conviction was overturned by New York's highest court; prosecutors are now seeking a 20-year sentence for a separate conviction involving another woman
- Weinstein, 74, has maintained not guilty pleas and denies all assault allegations; more than 80 women have accused him of sexual harassment or misconduct