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A Manhattan judge declared a mistrial Friday after jurors failed to reach agreement in the latest case against Harvey Weinstein. The decision ends the third New York trial tied to a 2013 rape accusation and hands the next move to prosecutors.
Courtroom deadlock and the judge’s decision
After two days of deliberations, the jury could not reach a unanimous verdict. Justice Curtis Farber described the panel as “hopelessly deadlocked” and dismissed them. He said further deliberation would serve no purpose and that juries should not be coerced into a verdict.
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The ruling came on May 15 and marks another stop in a long legal process for the former Hollywood producer.
How this case fits into Weinstein’s legal record
- Third New York trial tied to an allegation from 2013 by Jessica Mann.
- In 2020, Weinstein was convicted on a similar charge, but that verdict was later overturned by a judge.
- A subsequent trial also ended with a divided jury on Mann’s accusation.
- A separate 2025 proceeding produced mixed results: he was convicted of one criminal sexual assault count related to Miriam Haley, and acquitted on a charge involving Kaja Sokola.
Details from the accuser’s testimony
Jessica Mann testified that a brunch plan with friends and Weinstein turned into an encounter at a hotel. She testified that the meeting shifted after she objected and that Weinstein later assaulted her.
Her account included an allegation that Weinstein injected medication into his penis to induce an erection before the assault. The prosecutors had no physical evidence to corroborate the claim and relied heavily on Mann’s testimony.
What prosecutors and defense argued
- Prosecutors urged jurors to accept Mann’s account despite the lack of physical proof.
- The defense countered by raising doubts about timing, memory, and credibility.
- With jurors split, the judge decided more deliberations were unlikely to change minds.
Who decides whether the case will be retried?
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg now faces the choice of whether to pursue a fourth New York trial. The initial prosecution was handled by Bragg’s predecessor.
Weinstein’s separate legal battles and public comments
Weinstein is serving a 23-year sentence in New York and is also appealing a Los Angeles conviction that carries a 16-year term. He has repeatedly denied committing sexual assault.
In a recent interview, he acknowledged poor conduct: that he chased relationships unwisely, lied, and used staff improperly to cover conduct. He insisted, however, that he never committed sexual assault.
Quick timeline of recent developments
- 2013: Alleged incident involving an aspiring actress.
- 2020: Conviction in New York later overturned.
- Last year: Second trial deadlocked on Mann’s accusation.
- 2025: Mixed verdicts in charges involving other accusers.
- May 15, current year: Judge declares mistrial after jury stalemate.
