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
Argentina reveals secret WWII files on Hitler's henchmen who fled before, after the war

Unveiled Secrets: Argentina’s WWII Files Expose Hidden Lives of Hitler’s Fleeing Henchmen

Earlier this year, Argentine President Javier Milei unveiled and declassified a significant…
Chuck Schumer Will Say Anything Because He Is Scared

Swing Voter Backlash: How Government Shutdown Fears Could Spell Trouble for Democrats

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) aimed to undermine President Donald Trump…
Donald Trump pardons Jan. 6 defendant, Daniel Edwin, for separate gun offense, releasing him from prison

Donald Trump Grants Pardon to January 6 Defendant Daniel Edwin for Unrelated Gun Charge, Leading to His Release

WASHINGTON — In a notable move, former President Donald Trump has granted…
Four officers wounded in Kansas shooting; suspect dead

Tragic Kansas Shootout: Four Officers Injured, Suspect Killed – Full Coverage

The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) has launched an inquiry following an…
Trump Ramps Up Attacks on Massie: 'His Wife Will Find Out He's a Loser'

Trump Intensifies Criticism of Massie: ‘His Wife Will Realize He’s a Loser

On November 14, President Donald Trump reignited his criticisms of Representative Thomas…
Boat explosion on Hudson River leaves 1 dead in New York

Unbelievable Canine Mishap: Man Survives Unintentional Shooting by His Own Dog

A Pennsylvania man is on the mend after an unusual incident involving…
FAA grounds additional Boeing models for inspection after UPS crash

FAA Orders Inspections on More Boeing Models Following Recent UPS Incident

In the wake of a tragic UPS crash in Kentucky, federal aviation…
Kansas officers shot: 3 Osage County sheriff's deputies, 1 Kansas Highway Patrol trooper shot in rural Carbondale, police say

Breaking News: Four Kansas Law Enforcement Officers Injured in Carbondale Shooting Incident

In the quiet rural expanse south of Topeka, Kansas, the peace was…
Gurnee Woodland Elementary School teacher Todd Fowler charged with disseminating child pornography, Lake County Sheriff says

Katelyn Heiden Allegedly Captures Boyfriend Efin Nolte in Disturbing Act with Dog at Huntley Residence, Reports McHenry County State’s Attorney

HUNTLEY, Ill. (WLS) — A recent court hearing unveiled new information regarding…
Readers sound off on the shutdown deal, rescued green space and labor negotiations

Voices Heard: Public Reactions to Government Shutdown Deal, Revived Green Spaces, and Labor Talks

The Dems’ secret strategy to the shutdown deal In Pasadena, California, the…
Top Ukrainian officials in Zelenskyy government submit resignations amid $100 million corruption scandal

High-Ranking Officials in Zelenskyy Administration Resign Following $100 Million Corruption Allegations

In a significant shake-up within the Ukrainian government, two high-ranking officials have…
Palatka woman sentenced to 50 years after pleading no contest to stabbing boyfriend to death

Palatka Woman Receives 50-Year Sentence Following No Contest Plea in Boyfriend’s Fatal Stabbing

State Attorney R.J. Larizza remarked that Tykidra Leonard showed no remorse for…