Latest news with #CurtisFarber
MTV Lebanon
12-06-2025
- Entertainment
- MTV Lebanon
Jury dispute triggers mistrial on Harvey Weinstein rape charge
"Deliberations became heated to such a degree I am obligated to declare a mistrial on the one count on which you didn't reach a verdict," judge Curtis Farber told the jury panel. On Wednesday, the jury convicted Weinstein for sexual assault on Miriam Haley, and acquitted the fallen movie mogul for allegedly sexually assaulting Kaja Sokola. They were unable to reach a verdict on the charge that Weinstein raped Jessica Mann, and a retrial on that count will follow at a future date. Weinstein is already in jail for a 16-year term after he was convicted in a separate California case of raping a European actress more than a decade ago. Proceedings in New York have been dogged by personal issues between jurors, two of whom have privately complained to the judge about the conduct of fellow panelists. The foreman had told the judge Curtis Farber he could not continue after facing threats. "One other juror made comments to the effect 'I'll meet you outside one day'," the judge said Wednesday quoting the foreman, adding there was yelling between jurors. After Weinstein's lawyer Arthur Aidala demanded a mistrial over the jury rupture, Weinstein himself addressed the court, deploying a commanding voice reminiscent of the heyday of his Hollywood power. "We've heard threats, violence, intimidation -- this is not right for me... the person who is on trial here," he said. The Oscar-winner's conviction on the Haley charge is a vindication for Haley whose complaint in part led to the initial guilty verdict in 2020. That landmark case helped spur the "MeToo" movement that saw an outpouring of allegations from prominent women who were abused by men. Weinstein underwent a spectacular fall from his position at the top of the world of Hollywood and show business in 2017 when allegations against him exploded into public. The movement upended the film industry, exposing systemic exploitation of young women seeking to work in entertainment, and provoking a reckoning on how to end the toxic culture. More than 80 women accused Weinstein of sexual misconduct in the wake of the global backlash against men abusing positions of power. Weinstein's original 2020 conviction, and the resulting 23-year prison term, was thrown out last year after an appeals court found irregularities in the way witnesses were presented.
Rhyl Journal
12-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Rhyl Journal
Weinstein case judge declares mistrial on remaining rape charge amid jury issues
Deliberations ended on Thursday, a day after the jury delivered a partial verdict in Weinstein's sex crimes retrial. The jury got stuck on a third charge – a rape accusation dating to 2013. The foreperson complained on Wednesday that he felt bullied by another juror and said on Thursday he would not go back into the jury room. The panel convicted the former studio boss of one charge but acquitted him of another. Both of those charges concerned accusations of forcing oral sex on women in 2006. Those verdicts still stand. The jury of seven women and five men unanimously reached those decisions last Friday, the foreperson later told the judge. The verdict was delivered on Wednesday only because Judge Curtis Farber asked whether there was agreement on any of the charges. The third charge was a rape accusation involving a woman who also said she had a consensual relationship with the Oscar-winning producer. Under New York law, the third-degree rape charge carries a lesser penalty than the other two counts. Weinstein denies all the charges. In an unusual exchange with the judge during some legal arguments before the partial verdict was disclosed on Wednesday, Weinstein insisted it was unfair to continue the trial after two jurors came forward with concerns about the proceedings. 'I can't be judged by a situation that's going on like this,' said Weinstein, 73, claiming the judge was 'endangering' him. Jury-room strains started leaking into public view on Friday when a juror asked to be excused because he felt another was being treated unfairly. Then on Monday, the foreperson complained that other jurors were pushing people to change their minds and talking about information beyond the charges. The man raised concerns again on Wednesday. In a closed-door discussion with prosecutors, defence lawyers and the judge, the foreperson said another juror was yelling at him for sticking to his opinion and at one point vowed, 'You going to see me outside.' 'I feel afraid inside there,' the foreperson told the judge and lawyers, according to a transcript. Weinstein's initial conviction five years ago seemed to cement the downfall of one of Hollywood's most powerful men in a pivotal moment for the #MeToo movement against sexual misconduct. But that conviction was overturned last year and the case was sent back for retrial in the same Manhattan courthouse. Weinstein's accusers said he exploited his Tinseltown influence to dangle career help, get them alone and then trap and force them into sexual encounters. His defence portrayed his accusers as Hollywood wannabes and hangers-on who willingly hooked up with him to court opportunity, then later said they were victimised to collect settlement funds and #MeToo approbation. Miriam Haley, the producer and production assistant whom Weinstein was convicted – twice, now – of sexually assaulting, said outside court on Wednesday that the new verdict 'gives me hope'. Accuser Kaja Sokola also called it 'a big win for everyone,' even though Weinstein was acquitted of forcibly performing oral sex on her when she was a 19-year-old fashion model. Her allegation was added to the case after the retrial was ordered. Weinstein also was convicted of raping another woman in California. He is appealing that conviction. The Associated Press generally does not name people who say they have been sexually assaulted, unless they agree to be identified. Ms Haley and Ms Sokola did so.
France 24
12-06-2025
- Entertainment
- France 24
Judge declares mistrial on Harvey Weinstein rape charge after jury dispute
The judge in the Harvey Weinstein sex crimes retrial declared a mistrial on the outstanding rape charge against the movie producer Thursday, after the jury foreperson refused to return to deliberate the count amid a jury room feud. "Deliberations became heated to such a degree I am obligated to declare a mistrial on the one count on which you didn't reach a verdict," judge Curtis Farber told the jury panel. On Wednesday, the jury convicted Weinstein for sexual assault on Miriam Haley, and acquitted the fallen movie mogul for allegedly sexually assaulting Kaja Sokola. They were unable to reach a verdict on the charge that Weinstein raped Jessica Mann, and a retrial on that count will follow at a future date. Weinstein is already in jail for a 16-year term after he was convicted in a separate California case of raping a European actress more than a decade ago. Proceedings in New York have been dogged by personal issues between jurors, two of whom have privately complained to the judge about the conduct of fellow panelists. The foreman had told the judge Curtis Farber he could not continue after facing threats. "One other juror made comments to the effect 'I'll meet you outside one day'," the judge said Wednesday quoting the foreman, adding there was yelling between jurors. After Weinstein's lawyer Arthur Aidala demanded a mistrial over the jury rupture, Weinstein himself addressed the court, deploying a commanding voice reminiscent of the heyday of his Hollywood power. 01:14 'Threats, violence, intimidation' "We've heard threats, violence, intimidation -- this is not right for me... the person who is on trial here," he said. The Oscar-winner's conviction on the Haley charge is a vindication for Haley whose complaint in part led to the initial guilty verdict in 2020. That landmark case helped spur the "MeToo" movement that saw an outpouring of allegations from prominent women who were abused by men. Weinstein underwent a spectacular fall from his position at the top of the world of Hollywood and show business in 2017 when allegations against him exploded into public. The movement upended the film industry, exposing systemic exploitation of young women seeking to work in entertainment, and provoking a reckoning on how to end the toxic culture. More than 80 women accused Weinstein of sexual misconduct in the wake of the global backlash against men abusing positions of power. Weinstein's original 2020 conviction, and the resulting 23-year prison term, was thrown out last year after an appeals court found irregularities in the way witnesses were presented.
Leader Live
12-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Leader Live
Weinstein case judge declares mistrial on remaining rape charge amid jury issues
Deliberations ended on Thursday, a day after the jury delivered a partial verdict in Weinstein's sex crimes retrial. The jury got stuck on a third charge – a rape accusation dating to 2013. The foreperson complained on Wednesday that he felt bullied by another juror and said on Thursday he would not go back into the jury room. The panel convicted the former studio boss of one charge but acquitted him of another. Both of those charges concerned accusations of forcing oral sex on women in 2006. Those verdicts still stand. The jury of seven women and five men unanimously reached those decisions last Friday, the foreperson later told the judge. The verdict was delivered on Wednesday only because Judge Curtis Farber asked whether there was agreement on any of the charges. The third charge was a rape accusation involving a woman who also said she had a consensual relationship with the Oscar-winning producer. Under New York law, the third-degree rape charge carries a lesser penalty than the other two counts. Weinstein denies all the charges. In an unusual exchange with the judge during some legal arguments before the partial verdict was disclosed on Wednesday, Weinstein insisted it was unfair to continue the trial after two jurors came forward with concerns about the proceedings. 'I can't be judged by a situation that's going on like this,' said Weinstein, 73, claiming the judge was 'endangering' him. Jury-room strains started leaking into public view on Friday when a juror asked to be excused because he felt another was being treated unfairly. Then on Monday, the foreperson complained that other jurors were pushing people to change their minds and talking about information beyond the charges. The man raised concerns again on Wednesday. In a closed-door discussion with prosecutors, defence lawyers and the judge, the foreperson said another juror was yelling at him for sticking to his opinion and at one point vowed, 'You going to see me outside.' 'I feel afraid inside there,' the foreperson told the judge and lawyers, according to a transcript. Weinstein's initial conviction five years ago seemed to cement the downfall of one of Hollywood's most powerful men in a pivotal moment for the #MeToo movement against sexual misconduct. But that conviction was overturned last year and the case was sent back for retrial in the same Manhattan courthouse. Weinstein's accusers said he exploited his Tinseltown influence to dangle career help, get them alone and then trap and force them into sexual encounters. His defence portrayed his accusers as Hollywood wannabes and hangers-on who willingly hooked up with him to court opportunity, then later said they were victimised to collect settlement funds and #MeToo approbation. Miriam Haley, the producer and production assistant whom Weinstein was convicted – twice, now – of sexually assaulting, said outside court on Wednesday that the new verdict 'gives me hope'. Accuser Kaja Sokola also called it 'a big win for everyone,' even though Weinstein was acquitted of forcibly performing oral sex on her when she was a 19-year-old fashion model. Her allegation was added to the case after the retrial was ordered. Weinstein also was convicted of raping another woman in California. He is appealing that conviction. The Associated Press generally does not name people who say they have been sexually assaulted, unless they agree to be identified. Ms Haley and Ms Sokola did so.
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Jury dispute triggers mistrial on Harvey Weinstein rape charge
The judge in the Harvey Weinstein sex crimes retrial declared a mistrial on the outstanding rape charge against the movie producer Thursday, after the jury foreperson refused to return to deliberate the count amid a jury room feud. "Deliberations became heated to such a degree I am obligated to declare a mistrial on the one count on which you didn't reach a verdict," judge Curtis Farber told the jury panel. On Wednesday, the jury convicted Weinstein for sexual assault on Miriam Haley, and acquitted the fallen movie mogul for allegedly sexually assaulting Kaja Sokola. They were unable to reach a verdict on the charge that Weinstein raped Jessica Mann, and a retrial on that count will follow at a future date. Weinstein is already in jail for a 16-year term after he was convicted in a separate California case of raping a European actress more than a decade ago. Proceedings in New York have been dogged by personal issues between jurors, two of whom have privately complained to the judge about the conduct of fellow panelists. The foreman had told the judge Curtis Farber he could not continue after facing threats. "One other juror made comments to the effect 'I'll meet you outside one day'," the judge said Wednesday quoting the foreman, adding there was yelling between jurors. After Weinstein's lawyer Arthur Aidala demanded a mistrial over the jury rupture, Weinstein himself addressed the court, deploying a commanding voice reminiscent of the heyday of his Hollywood power. - 'Threats, violence, intimidation' - "We've heard threats, violence, intimidation -- this is not right for me... the person who is on trial here," he said. The Oscar-winner's conviction on the Haley charge is a vindication for Haley whose complaint in part led to the initial guilty verdict in 2020. That landmark case helped spur the "MeToo" movement that saw an outpouring of allegations from prominent women who were abused by men. Weinstein underwent a spectacular fall from his position at the top of the world of Hollywood and show business in 2017 when allegations against him exploded into public. The movement upended the film industry, exposing systemic exploitation of young women seeking to work in entertainment, and provoking a reckoning on how to end the toxic culture. More than 80 women accused Weinstein of sexual misconduct in the wake of the global backlash against men abusing positions of power. Weinstein's original 2020 conviction, and the resulting 23-year prison term, was thrown out last year after an appeals court found irregularities in the way witnesses were presented. gw/bgs
