Harvey Weinstein Rape Case: New York Judge Declares Mistrial After Jury Deadlock

Last Updated:May 16, 2026, 11:16 IST

Former Hollywood producer Weinstein was first convicted in 2020 of raping Jessica Mann. However, that conviction was later overturned.

In the Harvey Weinstein’s rape trial, a judge in Manhattan declared a mistrial on Friday after jurors failed to reach a unanimous verdict.

The jury, made up of four women and eight men, spent more than two days discussing whether the former Hollywood producer raped aspiring actress Jessica Mann in a hotel room in 2013. It was the second time jurors could not agree on the rape charge involving Mann.

Justice Curtis Farber of the State Supreme Court in Manhattan officially dismissed the jury after repeated deadlocks during deliberations.

Long legal battle continues

Weinstein was first convicted in 2020 of raping Jessica Mann. However, that conviction was later overturned.

During a second trial last year, Weinstein was convicted on one count of criminal sexual act involving another accuser, Miriam Haley, while jurors again failed to reach a verdict on the rape charge connected to Mann.

Friday’s mistrial means Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg must now decide whether prosecutors will attempt a fourth trial against Weinstein. The case originally began under Bragg’s predecessor.

In a statement, Bragg said his office respected the jury system despite disappointment over the outcome.

“We will consider our next steps in consultation with Ms. Mann, and in consideration of Harvey Weinstein’s pending sentencing following last year’s trial conviction for forcibly sexually assaulting Miriam Haley," he said.

What Jessica Mann said?

Jessica Mann said the mistrial did not change the truth of her allegations.

“The mistrial doesn’t in any way detract from the truth I told and the violent crimes Harvey Weinstein committed upon me and so many others," she said in a statement.

She added that she had approached the legal process with honesty and accountability despite the emotional toll.

Who is Harvey Weinstein?

Harvey Weinstein is an American former film producer who co-founded Miramax and later The Weinstein Company. He became globally notorious after sexual abuse allegations in 2017 helped spark the #MeToo movement, and he was later convicted in New York in 2020 and sentenced to 23 years in prison.

Defence claims strong position

Weinstein’s lawyer, Marc Agnifilo, said the defence felt confident about its chances if another trial takes place.

“I was told that the jury was 9-3 to acquit Harvey Weinstein," Agnifilo told reporters outside court.

Another defence lawyer, along with newly hired attorneys Jacob Kaplan and Teny Geragos, argued during the trial that the prosecution presented only one accuser’s account and no physical evidence.

What we know about the trial?

Over five days of testimony, Mann repeated claims that Weinstein raped her in a hotel room in 2013 after arranging a breakfast meeting in New York.

She testified that Weinstein injected medication into his penis before assaulting her.

During the trial, jurors also heard about a note Mann wrote two days later on her phone titled “Thoughts; Violation of emotions". The note discussed emotional conflict but did not mention rape or Weinstein by name. Mann later acknowledged it referred to him.

Mann also described a complicated relationship with Weinstein that continued for around four years and included consensual encounters, friendly emails and phone conversations.

Jury unable to reach agreement

On Friday morning, jurors informed Justice Farber they could not reach a unanimous decision.

The judge instructed them to continue deliberations through an Allen charge, encouraging them to reconsider differing views.

However, jurors later sent another note saying nobody was likely to change positions.

At around 1:15 pm, Justice Farber dismissed the panel, saying further discussions would not help and should not become coercive.

One juror later described the deliberations as emotional and difficult, while another confirmed the split had been 9-3 in favour of acquittal.

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