A judge has declared a mistrial in the rape case against Harvey Weinstein, after the jury in New York said it was deadlocked and unable to reach a verdict.
This marks the third time a New York jury has considered the case against the 74-year-old disgraced film mogul, who remains jailed on other charges.
The month-long trial was focused on accusations that Weinstein raped aspiring actress Jessica Mann more than a decade ago. Initially convicted, Weinstein's verdict was later overturned, leading to a mistrial after a second trial last year.
Since October 2017, more than 100 women have accused Weinstein of sexual misconduct, including rape, which he has consistently denied.
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg stated that prosecutors are currently evaluating the possibility of retrying the case.
Following the mistrial, Bragg expressed disappointment but praised the jury system and thanked the jurors for their dedication.
Weinstein's lawyers argued that public perception has unfairly biased the jury, suggesting that the focus should shift to addressing other violent crime issues in New York.
The jury's decision came after three days of deliberations. On Friday morning, they informed the judge of their inability to reach a unanimous verdict. The judge executed the mistrial after determining that they were hopelessly deadlocked.
Jessica Mann, who has testified about her experiences in three trials, expressed her resolve, stating that the mistrial does not diminish the truth she shared.
This is the third prosecution against Weinstein in New York, further complicating his legal status and ongoing health issues, including a diagnosis of bone marrow cancer.
The specter of his alleged crimes and the resulting social movements, namely #MeToo, continue to echo as the legal proceedings unfold, reflecting deep societal issues surrounding sexual violence and accountability.
