Latest news with #NicoleBlumberg
CBC
12-06-2025
- Entertainment
- CBC
Judge declares mistrial for remaining Harvey Weinstein rape charge, other conviction stands
Social Sharing WARNING: This story contains details about sexual assault and may affect those who have experienced it or know someone affected by it. The judge in Harvey Weinstein's sex crimes case declared a mistrial on the remaining rape charge after the jury foreperson said he wouldn't continue deliberating. Deliberations ended Thursday, a day after the jury delivered a partial verdict in Weinstein's sex crimes retrial, convicting the ex-studio boss of one of the top charges but acquitted him of another. Both of those charges concerned accusations of forcing oral sex on women in 2006. Those verdicts still stand. The jury got stuck on a third charge involving accusations from Jessica Mann. The hairstylist and actor testified for days — as she did in 2020 — about the rape she said she endured in a Manhattan hotel room and about why she continued to see and have consensual encounters with Weinstein afterward. Mann is ready to go to trial a third time, said Manhattan prosecutor Nicole Blumberg after the judge ended deliberations. No new trial date has yet been set. Alleged bullying among jury The foreperson complained Wednesday that he felt bullied by another juror and said Thursday he wouldn't go back into the jury room. "No. I'm sorry," he said when asked. The jury of seven women and five men had unanimously reached decisions on the other charges last Friday, the foreperson told the judge. The verdict was delivered Wednesday only because Judge Curtis Farber asked whether there was agreement on any of the charges. Under New York law, the third-degree rape charge carries a lesser penalty than the other two counts. Weinstein denies all the charges. WATCH | Weinstein convicted on one of the charges, acquitted of another in sex crime retrial: Jury finds Harvey Weinstein guilty on one charge in sex crime trial 20 hours ago Duration 1:41 Deliberations break down In an unusual exchange with the judge during some legal arguments before the partial verdict was disclosed Wednesday, Weinstein insisted it was unfair to continue the trial after two jurors came forward with concerns about the proceedings. "I can't be judged by a situation that's going on like this," said Weinstein, 73, saying the judge was "endangering" him. Jury-room strains started leaking into public view Friday, when a juror asked to be excused because he felt another was being treated unfairly. Then Monday, the foreperson complained that other jurors were pushing people to change their minds and talking about information beyond the charges. He raised concerns again Wednesday. In a closed-door discussion with prosecutors, defence lawyers and the judge, the foreperson said another juror was yelling at him for sticking to his opinion and at one point vowed, "You going to see me outside." "I feel afraid inside there," the foreperson told the judge and attorneys, according to a transcript. WATCH | Appeals court overturns Harvey Weinstein's 2020 rape conviction: Harvey Weinstein's 2020 rape conviction overturned by N.Y. appeals court 1 year ago Duration 2:00 2020 conviction overturned Weinstein's initial conviction five years ago seemed to cement the downfall of one of Hollywood's most powerful men in a pivotal moment for the #MeToo movement against sexual misconduct. But that conviction was overturned last year, and the case was sent back for retrial in the same Manhattan courthouse. Weinstein's accusers said he exploited his Tinseltown influence to dangle career help, get them alone and then trap and force them into sexual encounters. His defence portrayed his accusers as Hollywood wannabes and hangers-on who willingly hooked up with him to court opportunity, then later said they were victimized to collect settlement funds and #MeToo approbation. Miriam Haley, the producer and production assistant whom Weinstein was convicted — twice, now — of sexually assaulting, said outside court Wednesday that the new verdict "gives me hope." Accuser Kaja Sokola also called it "a big win for everyone," even though Weinstein was acquitted of forcibly performing oral sex on her when she was a 19-year-old fashion model. Her allegation was added to the case after the retrial was ordered. The Associated Press generally does not name people who say they have been sexually assaulted, unless they agree to be identified. Haley, Mann and Sokola did so. Weinstein also was convicted of raping another woman in California. He's appealing that conviction. WATCH | How the prosecution took a gamble in 2020 Weinstein trial and what went wrong: Why Harvey Weinstein's rape conviction was overturned | About That 1 year ago Duration 8:49 New York's highest court has overturned Harvey Weinstein's 2020 conviction for sexual assault and rape, a landmark ruling of the #MeToo movement. Andrew Chang explains how the prosecution knew it was taking a gamble, and where that gamble went wrong.
CTV News
12-06-2025
- Entertainment
- CTV News
Weinstein case judge declares mistrial on remaining rape charge as jury foreperson won't deliberate
Harvey Weinstein jokes with press photographers in Manhattan criminal court as the jury in his retrial deliberates, Wednesday, June 11, 2025, in New York. Curtis Means/Pool Photo via AP) NEW YORK — The judge in Harvey Weinstein's sex crimes case declared a mistrial on the remaining rape charge after the jury foreperson said he wouldn't continue deliberating. Deliberations were ended Thursday, a day after the jury delivered a partial verdict in Weinstein's sex crimes retrial, convicting the ex-studio boss of one of the top charges but acquitted him of another. Both of those charges concerned accusations of forcing oral sex on women in 2006. Those verdicts still stand. The jury got stuck on a third charge involving accusations from Jessica Mann. The hairstylist and actor testified for days — as she did in 2020 — about the rape she said she endured in a Manhattan hotel room and about why she continued to see and have consensual encounters with Weinstein afterward. Mann is ready to go to trial a third time, said Manhattan prosecutor Nicole Blumberg after the judge ended deliberations. No new trial date has yet been set. The foreperson complained Wednesday that he felt bullied by another juror and said Thursday he wouldn't go back into the jury room. 'No. I'm sorry,' he said when asked. The jury of seven women and five men had unanimously reached decisions on the other charges last Friday, the foreperson told the judge. The verdict was delivered Wednesday only because Judge Curtis Farber asked whether there was agreement on any of the charges. The third charge was over a rape accusation involving a woman who also said she had a consensual relationship with the Oscar-winning producer. Under New York law, the third-degree rape charge carries a lesser penalty than the other two counts. Weinstein denies all the charges. In an unusual exchange with the judge during some legal arguments before the partial verdict was disclosed Wednesday, he insisted it was unfair to continue the trial after two jurors came forward with concerns about the proceedings. 'I can't be judged by a situation that's going on like this,' said Weinstein, 73, saying the judge was 'endangering' him. Jury-room strains started leaking into public view Friday, when a juror asked to be excused because he felt another was being treated unfairly. Then Monday, the foreperson complained that other jurors were pushing people to change their minds and talking about information beyond the charges. The man raised concerns again Wednesday. In a closed-door discussion with prosecutors, defense lawyers and the judge, the foreperson said another juror was yelling at him for sticking to his opinion and at one point vowed, 'You going to see me outside.' 'I feel afraid inside there,' the foreperson told the judge and attorneys, according to a transcript. Weinstein's initial conviction five years ago seemed to cement the downfall of one of Hollywood's most powerful men in a pivotal moment for the #MeToo movement against sexual misconduct. But that conviction was overturned last year, and the case was sent back for retrial in the same Manhattan courthouse. Weinstein's accusers said he exploited his Tinseltown influence to dangle career help, get them alone and then trap and force them into sexual encounters. His defense portrayed his accusers as Hollywood wannabes and hangers-on who willingly hooked up with him to court opportunity, then later said they were victimized to collect settlement funds and #MeToo approbation. Miriam Haley, the producer and production assistant whom Weinstein was convicted — twice, now — of sexually assaulting, said outside court Wednesday that the new verdict 'gives me hope.' Accuser Kaja Sokola also called it 'a big win for everyone,' even though Weinstein was acquitted of forcibly performing oral sex on her when she was a 19-year-old fashion model. Her allegation was added to the case after the retrial was ordered. Weinstein also was convicted of raping another woman in California. He's appealing that conviction. The Associated Press generally does not name people who say they have been sexually assaulted, unless they agree to be identified. Haley, Mann and Sokola did so. Jennifer Peltz, The Associated Press
New York Times
11-06-2025
- Health
- New York Times
Weinstein's Declining Health Loomed Over His Second Trial
During his six-week trial, Harvey Weinstein often nodded off during testimony. He looked pale and frail as he was wheeled into the Manhattan criminal courthouse, arriving from his secured unit at Bellevue Hospital Center. Mr. Weinstein, once an imposing force in Hollywood, has been in poor health in recent years, according to his lawyers, who have listed diabetes, spinal stenosis and fluid on his heart and lungs among his many ailments. Last September, he was hospitalized for emergency heart surgery. The next month, he was diagnosed with cancer. Mr. Weinstein's condition played a role during jury selection in his first trial in 2020, when he used a walker to shuffle into the courtroom following back surgery. By then, he was no longer the robust movie executive sitting proudly at the front of awards ceremonies. Instead, potential jurors saw a diminished, considerably thinner man at the defense table, and prosecutors wanted to make sure they could look past his physical appearance. Five years later, his health appears to be much worse, but this time prosecutors did not probe jurors' feelings about it during jury selection. During their closing arguments, however, prosecutors tried to remind the jury that during deliberations they should remember Mr. Weinstein at the peak of his powers, when he was still a Hollywood mogul, wearing sharp suits and laughing with movie stars. 'I want you to remember it's not the person sitting here today in the wheelchair,' Nicole Blumberg, a prosecutor with the Manhattan district attorney's office. She then pointed to an oversized picture of him at the Cannes Film Festival and said, 'It's that man.' Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
Malay Mail
06-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Malay Mail
Jury begins to consider Harvey Weinstein verdict in rape and sexual assault retrial
NEW YORK, June 6 — Jurors began deliberating their verdict in Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein's rape and sexual assault retrial yesterday after hearing from three women who allege the cinema power broker preyed on them. A New York state appeals court had thrown out Weinstein's 2020 convictions, citing irregularities in the presentation of witnesses at his original trial, which resulted in two victims of his alleged abuse testifying for a second time. Judge Curtis Farber issued instructions yesterday to jurors, one of whom had to be swapped out for an alternate after falling ill, before they retired to consider their verdict. He called on the panel to use their 'common sense' for this 'very important decision' and reminded them that Weinstein was 'presumed innocent.' After six weeks of deliberations, the jury must decide whether Weinstein, accused by dozens of women of being a sexual predator, is guilty of sexual assaults in 2006 on former production assistant Miriam Haley and former model Kaja Sokola, and of rape in 2013 of aspiring actress Jessica Mann. 'He raped three women, they all said no,' prosecutor Nicole Blumberg said Wednesday as she recounted the evidence of the three alleged victims of Weinstein who testified at the trial. 'All the power' The Hollywood figure had 'all the power' and 'all the control' over the alleged victims, which is why jurors should find him guilty, she said. 'The defendant thought the rules did not apply to him, now it is the time to let him know that the rules apply to him. 'There is no reasonable doubt; tell the defendant what he already knows — that he is guilty of the three crimes.' Weinstein's defence attorney insisted the sexual encounters were consensual, pointing to a 'casting couch' dynamic between the movie mogul and the women. 'We don't want to police the bedroom' except in cases of rape, Blumberg fired back. Weinstein, the producer of box office hits Pulp Fiction and Shakespeare in Love, has never acknowledged wrongdoing. The cinema magnate, whose downfall in 2017 sparked the global #MeToo movement, has been on trial again since April 15 in a scruffy Manhattan courtroom. He is serving a 16-year prison sentence after being convicted in California of raping and assaulting a European actress more than a decade ago. Two of the accusers in this case — Haley and Mann — testified at Weinstein's original trial. Their accounts helped galvanize the #MeToo movement nearly a decade ago, but the case is being re-prosecuted at a new trial in New York. His 2020 convictions on charges relating to Haley and Mann, and his 23-year prison term, were overturned last year by the New York Court of Appeals. The tribunal ruled that the way witnesses were handled in the original trial was improper. — AFP
Japan Times
05-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Japan Times
'No means no,' prosecutor tells jurors as Harvey Weinstein trial wraps
A prosecutor told jurors at Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein's rape and sexual assault trial Wednesday that "no means no" as they prepared to consider his fate. A New York state appeals court had thrown out Weinstein's 2020 convictions after irregularities in the presentation of witnesses at his original trial, forcing two victims of his alleged abuse to testify a second time. "He raped three women, they all said no," said prosecutor Nicole Blumberg as she recounted the evidence of the three alleged victims of Weinstein who testified at this trial. The Hollywood power broker had "all the power" and "all the control" over the alleged victims, which is why jurors should find him guilty, she said. "The defendant thought the rules did not apply to him, now it is the time to let him know that the rules apply to him. "There is no reasonable doubt, tell the defendant what he already knows — that he is guilty of the three crimes." Weinstein's defense attorney insisted the sexual encounters were consensual, pointing to a "casting couch" dynamic between the movie mogul and the women. "We don't want to police the bedroom" — except in cases of rape, Blumberg fired back. Judge Curtis Farber indicated that he would give his instructions to the jurors Thursday morning, the final step before they withdraw behind closed doors to deliberate. 'MeToo' movement Weinstein, the producer of box-office hits "Pulp Fiction" and "Shakespeare in Love," has never acknowledged wrongdoing. The cinema magnate, whose downfall in 2017 sparked the global #MeToo movement, has been on trial again since April 15 in a scruffy Manhattan courtroom. He is serving a 16-year prison sentence after being convicted in California of raping and assaulting a European actress more than a decade ago. Two of the accusers in this case — onetime production assistant Miriam Haley and then-aspiring actress Jessica Mann — testified at Weinstein's original trial. Their accounts helped galvanize the #MeToo movement nearly a decade ago, but the case is being re-prosecuted at a new trial in New York. His 2020 convictions on charges relating to Haley and Mann, and his 23-year prison term, were overturned last year by the New York Court of Appeals. The tribunal ruled that the way witnesses were handled in the original trial was unlawful. Some 20 years after the earliest incidents were alleged to have taken place, Weinstein's defense team have sought to cast doubt on the credibility of the accusers. Weinstein has appeared daily in a wheelchair, physically subdued, but laughing and joking with his legal team. He did not speak at his trial, which also featured a new charge of sexual assault committed against former Polish model Kaja Sokola.
