A judge in New York has declared a mistrial in the rape case against disgraced film producer Harvey Weinstein after jurors said they could not reach a unanimous verdict.
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The ruling marks the third time a New York jury has considered allegations that Weinstein raped aspiring actress Jessica Mann more than a decade ago. The 74-year-old former Hollywood executive remains imprisoned on other convictions.
The month-long trial focused on whether Weinstein raped Mann in a hotel room in 2013. He had previously been convicted over the allegation, but that verdict was later overturned on appeal. A retrial last year also ended without a resolution after jurors became deadlocked.
Dozens of women have accused Weinstein of sexual misconduct since 2017, including claims of rape. He has repeatedly denied wrongdoing.
Jury unable to reach unanimous verdict
The decision followed three days of deliberations by a jury in Manhattan. On Friday morning, jurors sent a note to the court stating they had concluded they could not agree on a verdict.
Judge Curtis Farber initially instructed the panel to continue discussing the case. Later, he declared a mistrial, saying it was clear the jury was “hopelessly deadlocked”.
“I see no reason to go any further,” the judge said as he thanked and dismissed the jurors.
Weinstein, who used a wheelchair during the proceedings, did not visibly react as court officers wheeled him out of the courtroom following the announcement.
According to the Associated Press, one juror later said that nine members of the panel supported acquittal while three favoured conviction.
Prosecutors weighing next steps
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg said prosecutors would now decide whether to attempt another trial.
“While we are disappointed that the proceedings ended with a mistrial, we deeply respect the jury system and sincerely thank all of the jurors for their time and dedication,” he said in a statement.
Bragg also thanked Mann for bringing the allegation and said prosecutors would consult with her before deciding on the next course of action. He added that authorities would continue pursuing sexual violence cases “no matter who the defendant is”.
Weinstein’s lawyers said the outcome reflected the influence of public opinion surrounding the former producer.
They argued that prejudice against him had become so strong that some jurors felt unable to consider a not-guilty verdict, regardless of the evidence. The defence team also criticised prosecutors for repeatedly pursuing the case rather than focusing on other crimes affecting New York residents.
Long legal battle in New York
The mistrial represents the latest chapter in a complex legal battle in New York courts.
In 2020, Weinstein was convicted on several sex-crime charges following testimony from multiple women. But an appeals court overturned that conviction in 2024, ruling he had not received a fair trial because jurors were allowed to hear allegations from women whose claims were not directly tied to the charges.
After the ruling, prosecutors brought new sexual assault charges and the case returned to court.
The original trial involved testimony from three women — Mann, former production assistant Miriam Haley, and model Kaja Sokola — who said Weinstein used his power in the entertainment industry to abuse them.
The latest retrial centred primarily on allegations from Mann and Haley. Mann testified that although she had consensual encounters with Weinstein in the past, he forced her into sex in a hotel room in March 2013 despite her objections. Weinstein’s lawyers maintained the encounter was consensual.
Wider impact and legacy
More than 100 women have accused Weinstein of misconduct, assault or rape. While many allegations did not lead to criminal charges, his conviction in California means he is likely to spend the rest of his life in prison.
The accusations against him helped ignite the #MeToo movement, which exposed sexual abuse and misconduct by powerful figures across multiple industries.
Before the allegations emerged, Weinstein and his brother Bob were influential figures in Hollywood. They co-founded Miramax, a studio behind award-winning films including Shakespeare in Love and Pulp Fiction.
In addition to criminal proceedings, Weinstein has faced civil lawsuits from women who accused him of sexual harassment and rape. One group case ended in a $19m settlement in 2020.
Weinstein has also experienced health problems in recent years and was diagnosed with bone marrow cancer in 2024.
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Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 16 May 2026
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