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 decision 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 focused on allegations that Weinstein raped aspiring actress Jessica Mann more than a decade ago. The initial conviction in a related case was overturned, leading to the current mistrial after a previous jury was also unable to reach a decision.
Weinstein has faced numerous accusations of sexual misconduct from dozens of women since allegations against him surfaced in October 2017. He has consistently denied any wrongdoing.
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg expressed disappointment at the outcome but stated that the office is considering whether to retry Weinstein. He thanked Mann for her bravery in coming forward and reiterated the commitment to pursue justice for victims of sexual violence.
The jury reached a critical point on the third day of deliberation, indicating their inability to reach a unanimous verdict. Following this, Judge Curtis Farber declared the mistrial, emphasizing the challenges the jury faced in reaching consensus.
One juror revealed that nine members had favored acquittal while three supported conviction. Following the trial, Mann reiterated her faith in her testimony and her pursuit of justice, stating that the mistrial did not diminish the truth of her claims.
Weinstein remains embroiled in multiple ongoing legal challenges, and while he has faced significant health issues, the implications of his case continue to resonate within the #MeToo movement.
Prior to the allegations against him, Weinstein was a prominent figure in Hollywood, co-founding Miramax and producing acclaimed films.
