Harvey Weinstein made his return to a New York courtroom on Thursday for his rape retrial. This followed an incident where he reported experiencing chest pains while in the courthouse.
A Health Scare Interrupts Proceedings
I feel good, fine,” said Weinstein, who appeared pale but alert, as he was wheeled into the court.
Harvey Weinstein, Defendant
- Weinstein is 74 years old and has a history of heart issues.
- The jury requested to rehear testimony from accuser Jessica Mann.
On Wednesday, after a few hours of deliberation, jurors asked to review parts of Jessica Mann's testimony and a detailed timeline of evidence from the prosecution. This led to a brief pause in the trial when Weinstein's attorney, Marc Agnifilo, informed the court that Weinstein was unwell.
Judge Curtis Farber opted to dismiss the jury early, citing unforeseen circumstances. The jury was set to receive the necessary information regarding Mann's testimony, which was a focal point during the defense's closing arguments.
Mann has testified that while she engaged in consensual sexual activities with Weinstein, he also forced himself on her in a Manhattan hotel room in March 2013. The defense maintains that the encounter was consensual, emphasizing that Mann continued to see Weinstein after the incident.
The case has seen significant developments since 2017, when the #MeToo movement brought numerous allegations of sexual misconduct against Weinstein. His previous convictions in New York and California stemmed from similar charges.
An appeals court overturned his 2020 New York conviction linked to Mann and another accuser, resulting in this retrial. Currently, Weinstein faces one count of rape in the third degree as the jury deliberates.
The trial has unfolded over nearly three weeks, with Mann testifying for five days. Weinstein did not take the stand during the proceedings.