Harvey Weinstein found guilty of sexual assault after New York retrial

Harvey Weinstein was found guilty in his sexual assault retrial in Manhattan Criminal Court following five days of heated deliberations between jurors.

Seven female and five male jurors unanimously voted on Wednesday to convict the disgraced Hollywood mogul on one of three counts.

He was also found not guilty of an additional sexual assault charge and the jurors have yet to reach a verdict on a rape charge.

The verdict comes following reports that jurors had tension behind closed doors during deliberations.

Juror No. 7, described as a 25-year-old “computer kid,” complained to the judge on June 6 that jurors were gossiping about another member, adding, “In good conscience, I don’t think this is fair and just.”

“There’s a bit of shunning happening,” he reportedly said before asking to be dismissed from the case.

However, the judge reminded the juror that he “took an oath” and the trial would “fall apart” if he left.

Weinstein’s lawyers requested a mistrial over what the juror called “playground” drama, but the judge quickly shot that down.

By Monday, it was clear the jurors were still struggling, begging for coffee to help give them energy during the grueling hours-long talks.

Weinstein’s retrial began April 15, while the disgraced Hollywood producer has been battling cancer.

The 73-year-old was initially sentenced to 23 years in a New York prison in 2020 for third-degree rape and one count of criminal sexual act. He was convicted for forcibly performing oral sex on former “Project Runway” production assistant Miriam “Mimi” Haleyi and for an attack on hairstylist Jessica Mann.

However, in April 2024, that ruling was overturned by the New York Court of Appeals with a 4-3 vote.

It was reportedly decided at the time that testimonies from “prior bad acts” witnesses should not have been allowed because it “was unnecessary to establish defendant’s intent and served only to establish defendant’s propensity to commit the crimes charged.”

During Weinstein’s retrial, a third accuser that did not participate in the 2020 case was presented.

Kaja Sokola, a former model from Poland, alleged the former media mogul molested her at his apartment when she was just 16.

She claimed that years later, in 2006, he then allegedly lured her to a Manhattan hotel room by promising her movie scripts and pinned her to a bed to forcibly perform oral sex on her.

Sokola previously sued over her allegations and was paid $3.5 million in settlements and compensation. Weinstein was being charged in the retrial for the 2006 claim but not the molestation allegation.

The Miramax founder pleaded not guilty to all charges and denied he raped or sexually assaulted anyone.

In their closing arguments, Weinstein’s lawyers also tried to portray their client as the victim, claiming the accusers were “using their youth, their beauty, their charm, their charisma to get stuff from him.”

“I know it’s going to sound crazy, but he’s the one who’s being abused. He’s the one who’s getting used,” defense attorney Arthur Aidala argued on June 3.

Aside from his case in New York, Weinstein received a separate 16-year sentence in 2023 for forcible rape, forcible oral copulation and sexual penetration by a foreign object after a California trial. He has, however, appealed that decision, as well.