Harvey Weinstein's rape retrial to open Wednesday with majority-female jury
Share this @internewscast.com

NEW YORK — Opening statements are set for Wednesday in former movie mogul Harvey Weinstein’s rape retrial, this time with a majority-female jury deciding the landmark #MeToo case.

After a dayslong selection process yielded a seven-woman, five-man jury and five alternate jurors by Monday, prosecutors and Weinstein’s lawyers finished choosing a sixth and final alternate on Tuesday. Alternates step in if a member of the main panel can’t see the trial through.

The main jury is more female than the five women and seven men who convicted Weinstein at his first trial five years ago. The verdict marked a signature moment for the #MeToo movement against sexual misconduct, which had been fueled in 2017 by a slew of allegations against Weinstein, then a high-flying movie producer of a string of Oscar winners including “Pulp Fiction” and “Shakespeare in Love.”

But in a reversal that dismayed #MeToo activists, New York’s highest court last year overturned Weinstein’s 2020 conviction and 23-year prison sentence. The court found that the original trial judge allowed prejudicial testimony. That judge’s term expired in 2022, and he is no longer on the bench.

Weinstein, 73, has pleaded not guilty and denies raping or sexually assaulting anyone.

Drawn from Manhattan’s jury pool, the 12 members of the main jury for the New York retrial include a physics researcher, a photographer, a dietitian, a therapist, an investment bank software engineer and a fire safety director. Others have experience in real estate, TV commercials, debt collection, social work and other fields.

One has a high school equivalency degree. Others have master’s degrees. Some have served as jurors or grand jurors multiple times before; others, never.

Hundreds of other potential jurors were excused for reasons ranging from language barriers to strong opinions about Weinstein – “the first word that came in my head was ‘pig,'” said one man who was soon let go.

Those chosen were quizzed about their backgrounds, life experiences and various other points that could relate to their ability to be fair and impartial about the highly publicized case.

“You may hear sexual allegations here of a salacious nature – graphic, perhaps. Would hearing that indicate that … Mr. Weinstein must be guilty?” defense attorney Mike Cibella asked one prospective juror on Monday. The woman, who ultimately was chosen, answered no.

Prosecutor Shannon Lucey sought assurances that prospective jurors could put aside any position or feelings they had about the #MeToo movement.

“Is there anyone who is going to think of the movement and think, ‘OK, that’s just something that I have to keep in the back of my mind when I’m deciding this case’? Everyone can put that aside?” Lucey asked a group of 24 possible jurors. All indicated they could do so.

Weinstein’s rape and sexual assault retrial involves accusations from three women: an aspiring actor who said he raped her in 2013, and two women who made separate allegations of forced oral sex in 2006. One of the two wasn’t part of the original trial.

Meanwhile, Weinstein is challenging a separate 2022 rape conviction in Los Angeles.

Copyright © 2025 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
NYC judge seeks to make example of officer who threw cooler at fleeing suspect, causing fatal crash

Controversial Pardon Promise: Governor Candidate Pledges to Free Officer Convicted in Fatal Pursuit

Bruce Blakeman, the Republican contender for New York’s governorship, has pledged to…
Two arrested in possible shooting near OpenAI CEO Sam Altman's home

Two Individuals Detained in Connection to Potential Shooting Incident Near Residence of OpenAI CEO Sam Altman

Early Sunday morning, two individuals were taken into custody following reports of…
Bruce Blakeman vows to pardon convicted NYPD 'cooler cop' Erik Duran if elected governor

Bruce Blakeman Promises Pardon for NYPD’s Erik Duran in Governor Bid

Bruce Blakeman, a Republican candidate for governor, has pledged to pardon NYPD…
Donald Trump Pope Leo post on Truth Social, Jesus-like AI-generated image of president draw criticism from Chicago Catholics

Chicago Catholics Criticize AI-Generated Image of Trump as Pope Leo Shared on Truth Social

Pope Leo XIV’s recent condemnation of the conflict in Iran has elicited…
Executions in Iran doubled in 2025, marking a 36-year high: report

Iran’s Execution Surge in 2025: A Record High Not Seen in 36 Years

Last year, Iran witnessed a surge in executions, with over 1,600 individuals…
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney secures majority government with special election wins

Mark Carney Leads Canadian Government to Majority Victory in Pivotal Election

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney achieved a significant political milestone on Monday…
Trump mulls fresh strikes on Iran after peace talks collapse

Trump Considers New Military Action Against Iran Following Failed Peace Negotiations

President Donald Trump is contemplating new military actions against Iran following the…
CENTCOM Starts the Iranian Blockade Monday - Here Are the Rules and What to Look For

CENTCOM Initiates Iranian Blockade: Key Guidelines and What You Need to Know

On Sunday, Americans woke up to the revelation that President Trump had…
1-year-old injured after teen driver crashes car off Oklahoma bridge

Teen Driver Crashes Car Off Oklahoma Bridge, Injuring 1-Year-Old

In a dramatic incident early Saturday morning, a vehicle careened off a…
Trump says Iran is 'in very bad shape,' doesn't care if regime comes back to table ahead of planned Strait of Hormuz blockade

Trump Declares Iran’s Dire Situation, Shows Indifference to Regime’s Negotiation Return Amid Strait of Hormuz Blockade Plans

On Monday, President Trump remarked that Iran is currently facing significant difficulties…
Here's how the US blockade of Strait of Hormuz will likely work after peace talks fail

US Implements Strategic Blockade of Strait of Hormuz Following Collapse of Peace Negotiations

The U.S. has initiated a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, effectively…
Southern Command strikes suspected narcotics vessel

U.S. Military Conducts Successful Strike, Eliminating Two Suspected Cartel Operatives in Eastern Pacific, Reports SOUTHCOM

The United States military executed a lethal strike on Monday aimed at…