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Mistrial declared in Weinstein rape case
New York judge Curtis Farber declared a mistrial on Friday after jurors said they were unable to reach a unanimous verdict in the rape trial of disgraced film producer Harvey Weinstein. The decision marks the third time a New York jury has failed to deliver a verdict in cases involving the 74-year-old.
Trial details and jury deadlock
The month-long trial focused on allegations by aspiring actress Jessica Mann, who accused Weinstein of raping her in a hotel room in 2013. Jurors began deliberations earlier this week but informed the court on Friday that they were deadlocked, with nine favoring acquittal and three supporting conviction, according to a juror who spoke to reporters afterward.
Judge Farber initially instructed the jury to continue deliberating but later declared a mistrial, stating it was "quite clear" they were "hopelessly deadlocked." Weinstein, who attended the trial in a wheelchair, showed no visible reaction as court officers escorted him from the courtroom.
Prosecution weighs next steps
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg said prosecutors are evaluating whether to pursue a fourth trial. In a statement, Bragg expressed disappointment but respect for the jury process and thanked the jurors for their service. He also acknowledged Mann's courage in coming forward, stating, "We will consider our next steps in consultation with Ms. Mann and in light of Weinstein's pending sentencing in a separate sexual assault case."
"We will continue to prosecute crimes of sexual violence-no matter who the defendant is-in a survivor-centered manner that uplifts their voices in the pursuit of justice."
Alvin Bragg, Manhattan District Attorney
Defense reacts, criticizes retrials
Weinstein's legal team argued that the mistrial reflects deep-seated bias against their client. In a statement, they claimed that "for some people, regardless of the evidence presented, saying 'not guilty' has become emotionally or socially impossible." The defense urged prosecutors to abandon further retrials, calling instead for a focus on "actual violent crime" affecting New Yorkers.
Mann stands by her testimony
Jessica Mann, who has testified in three separate trials against Weinstein, issued a statement reaffirming her account. "The mistrial doesn't in any way detract from the truth I told," she said. "I chose to testify in three trials because I am telling the truth. I deserve justice, which is why I stand up and face unbearable public scrutiny in the name of a greater good."
Legal and cultural context
This is the third rape prosecution against Weinstein in New York. His 2020 conviction for sex crimes was overturned in 2024 after an appeals court ruled that the trial judge had improperly allowed testimony from women whose allegations were not part of the charges. A second trial last year also ended in a mistrial after the jury deadlocked.
Weinstein has been accused of sexual misconduct by more than 100 women since allegations surfaced in 2017. While not all accusations led to criminal charges, his 2020 conviction in New York and a separate conviction in California ensure he will likely remain imprisoned for life. His case became a catalyst for the #MeToo movement, which exposed systemic sexual abuse by powerful men in various industries.
Weinstein, once a dominant figure in Hollywood as co-founder of Miramax, produced acclaimed films like Shakespeare in Love and Pulp Fiction. His career collapsed following the allegations, and he has faced numerous civil lawsuits, including a $19 million settlement in 2020 with a group of women who accused him of sexual harassment and rape.
In recent years, Weinstein's health has deteriorated. In 2024, he was diagnosed with bone marrow cancer.
