The Voice News: Disgraced film producer Harvey Weinstein has been found guilty of one count of first-degree criminal sexual assault by a Manhattan jury, concluding a dramatic three-week retrial. The jury convicted him of assaulting former production assistant Miriam Haley, but acquitted him of charges involving aspiring actress Kaja Sokola.
A third charge, brought by actress and hairstylist Jessica Mann—who alleges Weinstein raped her in a Manhattan hotel in 2013—remains undecided. The jury was instructed to continue deliberating on that count after failing to reach a unanimous verdict.
Weinstein, who did not testify and attended court in a wheelchair due to leukemia treatment, has denied all allegations, claiming the encounters were consensual. Prior to the verdict, he urged the judge to declare a mistrial, citing juror tensions and concerns over fairness, saying: “This is my life that’s on the line.”
The trial was marred by discord among jurors. One foreperson expressed concern for his safety, citing confrontational behavior and threats from other panel members. The judge acknowledged “yelling and screaming” within the jury room, but continued proceedings.
This retrial followed the overturning of Weinstein’s 2020 New York conviction, which had carried a 23-year sentence. He is also serving a separate 16-year sentence from a California conviction.
In emotional post-verdict statements, Haley said the outcome gave her “hope” and helped challenge the idea of a “perfect victim.” Sokola called it “a big win for everyone,” while Mann reaffirmed her truth and criticized Weinstein’s defense team for a smear campaign. “Coming forward cost me everything,” she said, describing her experience of trauma and public scrutiny.
The case is being viewed as a crucial test of the #MeToo movement’s legacy, which has shifted in visibility in recent years amid broader social justice movements.
Weinstein’s lawyers argued that his accusers maintained friendly contact with him after the alleged assaults, and described their interactions as consensual and “mutually beneficial.” Defense witnesses claimed the women did not speak of assault at the time.
Despite the mixed verdict, prosecutors emphasized Weinstein’s abuse of power in Hollywood, where he allegedly used career opportunities to manipulate and coerce women.