The trial for Harvey Weinstein‘s rape charges concluded inconclusively, as the head juror declined to re-enter the jury room on Thursday following statements about alleged intimidation by fellow jurors.
In the trial of Harvey Weinstein, the 12-member jury declared him guilty on Wednesday for one charge involving a criminal sexual act against former ‘Project Runway’ assistant Miriam Haley, but they found him not guilty for another charge related to a criminal sexual act against former model Kaja Sokola.
The jury in the Weinstein trial decided on Wednesday that he was guilty of one count of a criminal sexual act involving Miriam Haley, a former ‘Project Runway’ assistant, but not guilty for another count related to Kaja Sokola, a former model.
Currently, the jury has not made a decision regarding the charge of third-degree rape involving aspiring actress Jessica Mann. However, due to issues like fighting and tension within the jury room, the jurors were dismissed early on Wednesday. This dismissal came after they had been working on their deliberations for the fifth consecutive day.
Weinstein was accused of one count of third-degree rape and two counts of first-degree criminal sexual act, which is the most severe felony charge with a possible imprisonment term of 25 years. However, the rape charge itself could result in a prison sentence of up to four years.
On Wednesday afternoon, the jury foreperson expressed their apprehension by sending a message to the judge. Later, they communicated to the lawyers and Mr. Farber, saying, “I have an uneasy feeling about being in there. I cannot stay in there.
He mentioned that some of the other jurors had attempted to persuade him to alter his verdict, but when he declined, they threatened him by saying “We’ll see you later,” which made him apprehensive about his personal security.
Arthur Aidala, one of Weinstein’s attorneys, stated during court proceedings on Thursday that if a juror is merely deliberating, then a physical assault like a punch in the face would not constitute a real threat. He described this situation as ‘completely irrational,’ or in simpler terms, ‘crazy.’
On Thursday, when the foreperson was questioned about going back to the jury room, he replied to the court saying, “No, I regretfully can’t.
On Wednesday, the stress among the jury members escalated so much that I found myself appealing to the judge for a mistrial. Unfortunately, my plea was turned down in that moment.
On Wednesday, Weinstein stated, “What’s happening here isn’t suitable for me, as it is my life at stake. Frankly, it’s not equitable. It’s straightforward. It’s just not equitable.
On Wednesday, the foreperson – responsible for representing the jury – hinted after the jury’s dismissal that he didn’t wish to resume deliberations in the jury room on Thursday. Instead, he was apart from the other jurors in court on Thursday morning.
On a Monday morning, the head juror requested an audience with the judge, expressing concern that some aspects from Harvey Weinstein’s past, not presented as trial evidence and unrelated to the indicted offenses, were being discussed among the jurors.
As the youngest member of the jury (juror No. 7), I found myself standing before the court on two occasions last Friday. The first time, I shared my concerns about overhearing some jurors discussing another juror within the confines of the courtroom elevators. Later, I felt compelled to ask for release from the jury duties, expressing my belief that the judicial process wasn’t playing out in a manner I considered fair. My gaze was fixed on the defense table throughout this request.
Following the reversal of Harvey Weinstein’s 2020 rape and sexual assault conviction in April 2024, due to the appeals court determining that the trial had biased Weinstein through questionable rulings, such as allowing testimonies about unrelated allegations.
Back in 2020, a jury delivered a split verdict in my view on the Weinstein case. They found him guilty for the charges against Haley and Mann, but he was acquitted from first-degree rape and predatory sexual assault allegations concerning other women. Not long after his initial conviction was overturned, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg took up the challenge to reexamine Weinstein’s case once more.
More to come.
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2025-06-12 18:24