A New York jury has delivered a partial verdict in the retrial of Harvey Weinstein, finding him guilty of one count of criminal sexual assault. The verdict came after days of reportedly tense deliberations, highlighting the complexities of the case.
Weinstein, 73, faced three charges, including third-degree rape and two counts of first-degree criminal sexual assault. The jury found him guilty of assault against accuser Miriam Haley. However, they found him not guilty regarding Kaja Sokola.
The jury remains deadlocked on the third charge, involving Jessica Mann, and will continue deliberations. The judge sent the jury home for the day, and told them they would continue to deliberate on that count Thursday. The jury, consisting of seven women and five men, had sent notes to the judge, indicating internal struggles.
The jury foreperson had requested a private meeting with the judge, citing infighting among jurors. Weinstein himself addressed the court, stating he felt he was not receiving a fair trial. His defense attorney expressed his disgust at the situation, while the judge characterized the tension as "schoolyard antics."
Due to the ongoing deliberations, neither the prosecution nor the defense could comment on the outcome. However, accuser Kaja Sokola expressed her satisfaction with the guilty verdict. Jessica Mann also released a statement, emphasizing the personal toll of coming forward.
Legal experts noted the rarity of a partial verdict, with Rich Schoenstein of Tarter Krinsky & Drogin highlighting that the jury had reached different decisions for each of the three women involved. The trial centered on accusations from Haley, Mann, and Sokola, who all testified about their experiences.
The charges against Weinstein stem from the #MeToo movement, triggered by a 2017 exposé in The New York Times. He was previously convicted in 2020, but that conviction was overturned in April 2024. The retrial reflects the ongoing legal battles surrounding the former film producer.