Jurors in the retrial of disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein showed signs of deepening divisions Monday, raising concerns of a potential deadlock and mistrial.
As deliberations continued behind closed doors, Judge Curtis Farber read two notes from the 12-member jury. The first, from an individual juror, requested a discussion about a “situation that isn’t very good.” The second, from the full panel, asked for clarification on the legal definition of “reasonable doubt” and jury rules to “avoid a hung jury.”
A hung jury—when jurors cannot reach a unanimous verdict—may result in a mistrial, necessitating a new trial.
Weinstein, whose 2017 downfall ignited the #MeToo movement, watched silently from his wheelchair as lawyers and prosecutors debated the jury’s concerns. The panel must decide whether he is guilty of sexually assaulting former production assistant Miriam Haley in 2006 and raping aspiring actress Jessica Mann in 2013.
The retrial follows a New York appeals court overturning Weinstein’s 2020 conviction due to procedural errors. While his original 23-year sentence was vacated, he remains imprisoned for separate crimes.
Tensions among jurors surfaced Friday when one reported infighting, describing the atmosphere as “playground stuff” with some members being “shunned.” The latest developments suggest the high-stakes deliberations remain fraught with conflict.
