Harvey Weinstein Retrial: Jury Reportedly Divided, Mistrial Denied
Colaboradores
The jury deliberating in Harvey Weinstein's retrial on sex crime charges is reportedly facing significant internal divisions. According to reports, jurors are engaging in heated arguments and considering information not presented during the retrial, raising concerns about the fairness and validity of the process.
Jury Foreperson Raises Concerns
The situation came to light when the jury foreperson sent a note to Judge Curtis Farber, describing a “situation which isn't very good.” This prompted Weinstein's lawyers to immediately file for a mistrial, a request that was ultimately denied by the judge.
Details emerging from court transcripts indicate that some jurors have been referencing Weinstein's past actions and public history, attempting to sway their colleagues' opinions with information outside of the evidence presented in the courtroom. The foreperson stated that jurors were “pushing people, talking about his past,” despite being instructed to only consider evidence and testimony from the current retrial.
Judge Issues New Instructions
In response to these concerns, Judge Farber issued a new instruction to the jury, emphasizing that their deliberations must focus solely on the evidence introduced during the retrial concerning the three specific crimes. He stressed that any other information or considerations were irrelevant to their decision-making process.
The jury, comprised of five men and seven women, has been deliberating for three days on whether to convict Weinstein of rape and criminal sex acts. Weinstein's initial 2020 conviction was overturned last year by an appeals court.
The reported infighting and consideration of external information raise serious questions about the integrity of the jury's deliberations and whether Weinstein will receive a fair trial. The outcome remains uncertain as the jury continues its deliberations under the judge's renewed instructions.
- Weinstein's retrial is ongoing.
- Jury deliberations are reportedly contentious.
- A mistrial request was denied.
- The judge re-instructed the jury to focus on trial evidence only.