Harvey Weinstein Averts Fourth New York Rape Trial as Prosecutors Move to Drop Charge

Manhattan prosecutors on Thursday moved to drop a third-degree rape charge against Harvey Weinstein after the accuser said she would not testify in what would have been a fourth trial.

Weinstein’s third New York state trial over allegations that he raped aspiring actress Jessica Mann ended in a mistrial in May after jurors failed to reach a unanimous verdict. Mann had accused Weinstein of raping her in a Manhattan hotel room in 2013 while she resisted and repeatedly said “no.”

Weinstein, 74, has pleaded not guilty to third-degree rape and has denied all allegations of sexual assault or non-consensual sex. A representative said Thursday that Weinstein was relieved by the decision and believes the charge should never have been brought.

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s office said Mann had already testified before two grand juries and three trial juries and described the process as an “extraordinarily taxing ordeal,” adding that she did not wish to take the stand again.

Bragg’s office also said it is seeking a 20-year prison sentence for Weinstein in connection with the sexual assault of former production assistant Miriam Haley.

Weinstein was previously convicted in New York in 2020 for raping Mann and assaulting Haley, but the state’s highest court later overturned the conviction, finding he did not receive a fair trial. He has remained in custody due to a separate conviction in another case.

More than 80 women have accused Weinstein of sexual misconduct or harassment. Weinstein has denied the allegations.

(Reporting by Jack Queen in New York; Editing by Mark Porter and Bill Berkrot)

The post Harvey Weinstein Averts Fourth New York Rape Trial as Prosecutors Move to Drop Charge appeared first on GV Wire.