NEW YORK — Harvey Weinstein returns to court Thursday, seeking to get his latest sex crime conviction thrown out due to reported anger and apprehensions among jurors during deliberations last spring.
This marks another complicated twist in the former Hollywood mogul's prolonged legal saga that has unfolded over seven years and across two states. The latest trial, part of the #MeToo movement, saw Weinstein convicted of forcing oral sex on one woman, while acquitting him of similar charges against another, and left a pending rape charge undecided.
Weinstein, 73, has firmly denied all allegations against him, which emerged as part of a wider wave of allegations starting in 2017.
His lawyers argue that the women involved consented to advances with hopes for career opportunities, then falsely accused him to gain attention and financial settlements.
The split verdict last June arose after jurors reported tensions, with one saying they felt "shunned" and others describing discussions as aggressive. The foreperson claimed they were pressured to change their stance, even leading to concerns for their safety due to threats from fellow jurors.
Judge Curtis Farber highlighted the need to maintain deliberation confidentiality but acknowledged juror grievances. Weinstein's legal team now pushes for either the conviction to be annulled or for a new hearing on these issues.
Prosecutors maintain the judge acted correctly and emphasize that the jurors had made contradictory claims afterward. The judge's ruling on whether to uphold the conviction, call for new hearings, or take other actions could potentially lead to an appeal from either side.
Furthermore, prosecutors are prepared to retry Weinstein on a last undecided rape charge, all while he is also appealing a rape conviction in Los Angeles.
This marks another complicated twist in the former Hollywood mogul's prolonged legal saga that has unfolded over seven years and across two states. The latest trial, part of the #MeToo movement, saw Weinstein convicted of forcing oral sex on one woman, while acquitting him of similar charges against another, and left a pending rape charge undecided.
Weinstein, 73, has firmly denied all allegations against him, which emerged as part of a wider wave of allegations starting in 2017.
His lawyers argue that the women involved consented to advances with hopes for career opportunities, then falsely accused him to gain attention and financial settlements.
The split verdict last June arose after jurors reported tensions, with one saying they felt "shunned" and others describing discussions as aggressive. The foreperson claimed they were pressured to change their stance, even leading to concerns for their safety due to threats from fellow jurors.
Judge Curtis Farber highlighted the need to maintain deliberation confidentiality but acknowledged juror grievances. Weinstein's legal team now pushes for either the conviction to be annulled or for a new hearing on these issues.
Prosecutors maintain the judge acted correctly and emphasize that the jurors had made contradictory claims afterward. The judge's ruling on whether to uphold the conviction, call for new hearings, or take other actions could potentially lead to an appeal from either side.
Furthermore, prosecutors are prepared to retry Weinstein on a last undecided rape charge, all while he is also appealing a rape conviction in Los Angeles.
