Judge declares mistrial in Harvey Weinsteins rape retrial amid deadlocked jury

Published: Friday, May 15, 2026 at 5:27 pm

Weinstein Rape Retrial Ends in Mistrial

A New York rape retrial involving former Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein has concluded in a mistrial after the jury declared they were unable to reach a unanimous verdict. This marks the third trial related to the New York rape charge, leaving the case unresolved despite Weinstein's convictions on sex crime charges in other jurisdictions.

The jury, comprised primarily of men, was tasked with determining whether Weinstein raped Jessica Mann, a hairstylist and actor. The alleged incident occurred in 2013 during a complex relationship between Weinstein and Mann. Weinstein's defense team maintained that the encounter was consensual.

The jury's deadlock became apparent on the third day of deliberations when they informed the court of their inability to reach a unanimous decision. Judge Curtis Farber initially instructed the jury to continue deliberating, a standard practice in New York courts.

This retrial followed the overturning of Weinstein's 2020 New York conviction by an appeals court. A previous retrial last year also ended in a deadlock, specifically concerning Mann's testimony. Weinstein is charged with one count of rape in the third degree.

Mann, now 40, testified that while she had engaged in some consensual sexual activity with Weinstein, he subjected her to unwanted sex on the day in question, despite her repeated refusals. Weinstein's lawyers highlighted Mann's continued interactions with Weinstein after the alleged assault, emphasizing expressions of warmth towards him. Mann has stated that she had complicated feelings about the situation.

The case gained prominence in 2017, coinciding with the rise of the #MeToo movement, which was fueled by a wave of allegations against Weinstein. Weinstein, 74, has maintained that while he acted wrongly, he never assaulted anyone.

The current jury heard nearly three weeks of testimony, including five days of testimony from Mann. Weinstein did not testify.

BNN's Perspective:

The repeated mistrials in this case highlight the complexities of prosecuting sexual assault cases, particularly those involving historical allegations. While the legal process continues, the unresolved nature of this case underscores the challenges of achieving justice in the face of conflicting narratives and the passage of time. The focus should remain on ensuring a fair trial for all parties involved.

Keywords: Harvey Weinstein, mistrial, rape, retrial, Jessica Mann, jury, #MeToo, sexual assault, New York, court, verdict, trial, legal, conviction, defense, testimony, allegations, consensual, third degree rape

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