Harvey Weinstein is considering a plea deal to address a pending rape charge, as he seeks to avoid a third trial in New York, a judge announced on Thursday. Weinstein’s statement came during a court hearing where he maintained his innocence, asserting, “I know I was unfaithful, I know I acted wrongly, but I never assaulted anyone.”
The court proceedings followed Judge Curtis Farber’s rejection of Weinstein’s request to overturn his previous conviction for forcibly performing oral sex on a woman in 2006, a crime that could result in a prison sentence of up to 25 years. In a notable twist, a jury had acquitted Weinstein of related charges concerning another woman from the same year, while they could not reach a consensus on whether he raped hairstylist and actor Jessica Mann in a Manhattan hotel in 2013.
Weinstein’s legal team argued that the jury’s decision was compromised by internal disputes and coercive behavior among jurors. However, Judge Farber dismissed these claims and set a new trial date for March 3 regarding the third-degree rape charge, which carries a maximum sentence of four years, a term already surpassed by Weinstein during his incarceration.
After the judge’s ruling, Weinstein expressed his disappointment, claiming that external forces undermined his right to a fair judgment. He accused a juror of having a personal agenda that influenced the deliberation process, alleging intimidation and the dissemination of false information.
The chaos surrounding the jury’s deliberation was highlighted by allegations of discord among jurors, including reports of one juror feeling unsafe due to aggressive exchanges. Following these revelations, Weinstein’s lawyers are keen to negotiate a plea before the trial commences.
This latest development is a significant chapter in Weinstein’s lengthy legal battle, which has been a focal point of the #MeToo movement sparked by numerous allegations of sexual misconduct against him that surfaced in 2017. Once one of Hollywood’s most powerful figures, his downfall underscored the ongoing struggle against sexual harassment and abuse in the entertainment industry.
Weinstein continues to deny the charges against him and maintains hope for resolution, while also appealing a related rape conviction in Los Angeles. The outcome of these proceedings could further shape the narrative surrounding sexual assault accountability in Hollywood and beyond.