Jurors making ‘good progress' toward Weinstein retrial verdict

Al Arabiya

20 hours ago

Jurors reported making headway Monday in the sex crimes retrial of disgraced Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein, despite internal tensions raising the risk of a deadlocked jury and potential mistrial.
'We're making good progress,' Judge Curtis Farber read from a final note sent by jurors at the end of the third day of closed-door deliberations in the New York courtroom.
Earlier, Farber read aloud two other notes from the 12-member jury. In the first, a juror expressed a desire to speak to the judge 'about the situation that isn't very good.' In the second, jurors asked for 'the entire definition of reasonable doubt and rules of the jury especially to avoid a hung jury.'
A hung jury occurs when jurors are unable to reach a unanimous verdict after extended deliberations. In that case, the judge can declare a mistrial, and the case may be tried again.
On Monday morning, Weinstein — whose 2017 downfall helped ignite the global #MeToo movement — looked on impassively from his wheelchair as the judge, prosecutors, and defense attorneys engaged in tense exchanges.
The jury is deciding whether Weinstein is guilty of sexually assaulting Miriam Haley and former model Kaja Sokola in 2006, and raping aspiring actress Jessica Mann in 2013.
This retrial follows a decision by a New York state appeals court to overturn Weinstein's 2020 convictions due to procedural irregularities. His 23-year sentence was vacated, but he remains imprisoned on separate charges.
'Playground stuff'
On Friday, a juror reported internal tensions, telling the court that 'people are being shunned. It's playground stuff,' and asked to resign. Judge Farber denied the request.
Weinstein's attorney, Arthur Aidala, moved for a mistrial in response to the discord, but the judge refused.
By midday Monday, a different juror reported improvements in the atmosphere. 'Things are going well, the tone is very different today, we are finding headways,' she said, prompting visible relief from the judge.
During the trial, the three alleged victims testified in detail about how Weinstein allegedly lured them to his apartment or hotel room in New York, then forced them into unwanted sexual acts.
In closing arguments, prosecutor Nicole Blumberg summed up the women's testimony by saying, 'He raped three women. They all said no.' She emphasized Weinstein's power over his accusers, urging jurors to hold him accountable.
'The defendant thought the rules did not apply to him. Now it is time to let him know that the rules apply to him.'
Weinstein did not testify but told FOX5 in a Friday interview that while he may have acted 'immorally,' he maintained that he did nothing criminal.
His legal team has argued the women fabricated their claims to obtain financial settlements or damages.