Harvey Weinstein Found Guilty in New York Sexual Assault Retrial
Disgraced film mogul Harvey Weinstein has again been found guilty of sexual assault following a retrial in New York City. The verdict comes after his previous 2020 sex crimes conviction in the state, which led to a 23-year sentence, was overturned by an appeals court last year.
The decision in the retrial, delivered by a jury of seven women and five men after six weeks of trial and five days of deliberation, adds to a separate 16-year prison sentence Weinstein is already serving from a 2022 rape conviction in Los Angeles.
A Partial Verdict: One Conviction, One Acquittal, One Hung Jury
The jury’s decision in the New York retrial was a split one across the three charges Weinstein faced, each linked to allegations from different women:
Guilty: Found guilty of one count of committing a criminal sexual act in the first degree involving former television production assistant Miriam Haley.
Not Guilty: Acquitted of a sexual assault charge regarding former model and actress Kaja Sokola.
No Verdict: The jury was unable to reach a unanimous decision on a charge alleging third-degree rape by actress Jessica Mann and was instructed by the judge to continue deliberations on that specific count.
This scenario – a split verdict across different accusers – was described by one legal expert as “really rare.”
Why a Retrial? Overturned Conviction & New Charges
The need for a retrial arose after New York’s highest court, the Court of Appeals, overturned Weinstein’s 2020 conviction in April 2024. The court ruled that the judge in the original trial improperly allowed testimony from women who accused Weinstein of misconduct but whose allegations were not part of the specific charges being tried. This was deemed to have denied Weinstein a fair trial. Following the overturn, Weinstein was indicted on new sexual assault charges in September, setting the stage for this retrial which commenced in April.
Testimony at the Heart of the Case
The prosecution built its case around the powerful and emotional testimony of three women: Miriam Haley, Jessica Mann, and Kaja Sokola. Ms. Haley and Ms. Mann had also testified in the original 2020 trial, while Ms. Sokola’s allegations were new to this New York criminal case.
Miriam Haley testified that Weinstein forcibly performed oral sex on her in his apartment in July 2006. The jury found him guilty on this charge.
Jessica Mann accused Weinstein of raping her in a hotel in 2013. The jury remained hung on this count.
Kaja Sokola alleged two assaults, including one involving forced oral sex in a Manhattan hotel in late April or early May 2006, when she was 19. The jury acquitted him on the charge related to this specific incident.
All three women testified that they met Weinstein early in their careers while seeking opportunities in the entertainment industry. They alleged that he used his immense power and influence to lure them into private meetings at hotels and his homes, where he then sexually abused them against their will. Prosecutors argued Weinstein leveraged promises of career advancement to “ensnare and abuse” the women.
Defense Claims: Consent and Challenging Credibility
Weinstein’s legal team maintained throughout the trial that any physical interactions between Weinstein and the accusers were entirely consensual. They characterized the relationships as “friends with benefits” or “mutually beneficial,” where the women gained auditions and other opportunities.
The defense attempted to undermine the credibility of the accusers by presenting evidence such as warm messages exchanged between the women and Weinstein after the alleged incidents. They also offered testimony from friends of Ms. Sokola and Ms. Mann who reportedly did not recall hearing contemporaneous accounts of the alleged assaults, suggesting the women fabricated their testimony out of vindictiveness. Weinstein himself did not testify in his defense but has consistently denied all allegations, claiming all interactions were consensual.
Tense Jury Deliberations
The jury’s path to a verdict was reportedly fraught with significant tension. Notes sent to Judge Curtis Farber indicated discord, including reports from the foreperson of some jurors “attacking” others, attempting to change minds, and considering information outside the scope of the case. Concerns about safety were raised after one juror reportedly made comments like, “I’ll meet you outside one day,” accompanied by yelling.
Before the verdict was read, Weinstein himself addressed the court from his wheelchair, requesting a mistrial due to the reported jury tensions and claiming he was not receiving a fair trial and felt “endangered.” While his lawyer characterized the situation as harassment and coercion, the prosecutor described the foreperson as merely “stubborn” and the issues as “schoolyard antics.” The judge ultimately instructed the jury to focus solely on the evidence presented within the case parameters.
Reactions to the Verdict
Reactions to the partial verdict were varied among those involved:
Miriam Haley: Expressed deep gratitude to the jury and stated the verdict gives her “hope that there is new awareness around sexual violence and that the myth of the perfect victim is fading,” hoping it empowers others. She described testifying as “exhausting and, at times, dehumanizing” amidst defense tactics she saw as designed to distract and distort.
Kaja Sokola: Despite the not-guilty verdict on her specific charge, said she was “relieved that Harvey Weinstein will be held accountable for some of his crimes,” viewing his continued incarceration as a “big win for everyone.” She emphasized that coming forward was the hardest thing she had done but necessary to reclaim her power and ensure the world knew the truth.
Jessica Mann: Issued a statement asserting the truth of her rape allegation, detailing the immense personal cost and shame of coming forward, and accusing Weinstein’s legal and PR teams of a smear campaign.
Weinstein’s Team: His publicist called the split verdict a “victory” for the defense, noting the significance of the acquittal on Ms. Sokola’s charge. His spokesperson reiterated belief in “serious appellate issues” regarding the jury process.
Broader Impact and Remaining Legal Battles
This retrial and partial conviction add another chapter to the lengthy legal saga surrounding Harvey Weinstein, whose downfall ignited the global #MeToo movement against sex abuse by powerful men. Accused by over 100 women, Weinstein was once among Hollywood’s most influential figures, co-founding Miramax Films, known for hits like Shakespeare in Love and Pulp Fiction.
Despite the New York conviction being overturned, Weinstein has remained incarcerated due to his separate 16-year sentence from the 2022 Los Angeles conviction, which he is also appealing. He has also faced numerous civil lawsuits, including a $19 million settlement with a group of accusers in 2020.
Weinstein, who suffers from cancer and diabetes, attended the trial proceedings in a wheelchair while reportedly receiving medical treatment at a Manhattan hospital.
The outcome of this retrial, even without a full conviction on all counts, underscores the continued legal accountability being sought for powerful figures accused of sexual misconduct and remains a key moment in the ongoing legacy of the #MeToo movement.
