Jury selection has been completed in the rape case against former film powerbroker Harvey Weinstein, paving the way for him to face court again in a high profile retrial.
A jury of seven women and five men has been picked, a more female panel than the five women and seven men who convicted the onetime Hollywood honcho at his first trial five years ago.
Opening statements are not expected until Wednesday, as prosecutors and defence lawyers still need time to finish picking the last of six alternate jurors.
After nine jurors were picked last week, three others and five alternates were picked on Monday during a marathon fourth day of jury selection.
Harvey Weinstein appears in court in Manhattan as jury selection continues in his retrial in New York. (Photo: Curtis Means/Pool via AP)They and other prospective jurors were quizzed about their backgrounds, life experiences and various other points that could relate to their ability to be fair and impartial about the highly publicised case.
“You may hear sexual allegations here of a salacious nature – graphic, perhaps. Would hearing that indicate that … Mr Weinstein must be guilty?” defence lawyer Mike Cibella asked one prospective juror.
The woman, who ultimately was chosen, answered no.
Potential jurors had been questioned privately about their knowledge of the case and opinions about Weinstein, and some people were excused after those queries behind closed doors.
Weinstein is being tried again on rape and sexual assault charges after New York’s highest court last year overturned his 2020 conviction and 23-year prison sentence.
The Court of Appeals found that his trial had been tainted by improper rulings and prejudicial testimony.
Weinstein, 73, has pleaded not guilty and denies raping or sexually assaulting anyone.
The retrial involves charges that he raped an aspiring actor in a Manhattan hotel room in 2013 and committed a criminal sex act by forcing oral sex on a movie and TV production assistant in 2006.
He is also charged with another criminal sex act count, based on an allegation from a woman who was not a part of the original trial.
She alleges that Weinstein forced oral sex on her at a Manhattan hotel.
With AP
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