Harvey Weinstein’s Third Trial on Rape Charge Opens in Manhattan
The New York Times • • entertainment
Key Points:
- Harvey Weinstein faces a third trial in Manhattan over allegations of raping aspiring actress Jessica Mann in a 2013 hotel room, with jurors selected last week and opening statements set for Tuesday.
- Weinstein, 74, was convicted of rape in 2020 during his first Manhattan trial, but that verdict was overturned; the second trial ended in a deadlocked jury, prompting the current retrial.
- He was also convicted of rape in a separate California trial and is appealing that conviction, while his lawyers report he is dealing with multiple medical issues.
- Weinstein's case marked a pivotal moment in the #MeToo movement, highlighting widespread demands for accountability regarding sexual harassment and assault in the entertainment industry.
- Prosecutors have argued that Weinstein exploited his long-standing power in the film industry to sexually assault women, using promises of scripts and fame as leverage.
