Harvey Weinstein Begins Third New York Trial on 2013 Jessica Mann Rape Charge
Harvey Weinstein went on trial again in Manhattan on April 14, 2026, for an alleged 2013 rape of Jessica Mann; jury selection for what prosecutors expect could be a six‑week proceeding began that day. The retrial comes after years of litigation surrounding Weinstein’s conduct and earlier criminal proceedings, and it is being held in New York state court where prosecutors are pursuing the single charge tied to Mann’s allegations.
Courtroom logistics and pretrial rulings are already shaping the case. More than 80 prospective jurors asked to be excused during initial screening because of the trial’s projected length and pervasive publicity, leaving roughly 60 for further questioning. Prosecutors told the court they may seek to introduce a newly reported post‑conviction remark Weinstein allegedly made to a court officer after his February 2020 conviction — “If you had seen these girls, you would have done the exact same thing” — a statement the defense has urged the judge to exclude as “far‑fetched.” Weinstein is trying the case with new lead trial counsel Marc Agnifilo after Arthur Aidala stepped aside; the judge also indicated the previously litigated topic of a claims fund for alleged victims is unlikely to arise because the defense does not plan to pursue it. Pretrial rulings from Judge Farber, reported by court observers, allow Mann to testify about physical sensations she experienced while barring references to certain other evidence, including alleged physical deformities, a limitation likely to narrow the scope of witness testimony.
The tone of coverage has shifted from the early, broad reporting that chronicled Weinstein’s role as a powerful Hollywood producer and the rise of the #MeToo movement to a more granular focus on courtroom procedure, evidentiary disputes and juror management; outlets such as PBS have driven that shift by detailing the legal mechanics, new defense counsel, and proposed evidence that will animate this retrial. Public reaction on social media remains sharply divided — some commentators underscore Weinstein’s fall from power, others express skepticism about Mann’s account or call for protections of Weinstein’s rights — illustrating how high‑profile sex‑crime trials continue to provoke both calls for accountability and disputes over credibility and fairness as the legal process unfolds.
📌 Key Facts
- Jury selection for Harvey Weinstein’s third New York trial began on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, in Manhattan; the proceeding is expected to last up to six weeks.
- More than 80 prospective jurors asked to be excused during initial screening because of concerns about the trial’s length and the ability to be fair given extensive publicity; about 60 remained for further questioning.
- Prosecutors disclosed they may seek to introduce an alleged remark Weinstein made to a court officer after his February 2020 conviction — “If you had seen these girls, you would have done the exact same thing” — which the defense calls “far-fetched” and is asking the judge to exclude.
- Weinstein has a new lead trial lawyer, Marc Agnifilo, who joined the case in February after Arthur Aidala stepped aside to focus on appeals and civil matters.
- The judge indicated a previously litigated issue — a claims fund for women alleging sexual misconduct by Weinstein — is unlikely to arise in this retrial because the defense does not plan to raise it.
- Weinstein recently told the court he had “acted wrongly, but I never assaulted anyone,” reiterating his denial of criminal conduct.
📰 Source Timeline (2)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
- Jury selection for Weinstein’s third New York trial began Tuesday, April 14, 2026, in Manhattan, with the proceeding expected to last up to six weeks.
- More than 80 prospective jurors asked to be excused during initial screening due to concerns about the trial’s length and their ability to be fair and impartial given extensive publicity; about 60 remained for further questioning.
- Prosecutors disclosed they may seek to introduce a newly reported alleged remark Weinstein made to a court officer after his February 2020 conviction: “If you had seen these girls, you would have done the exact same thing,” which the defense calls “far-fetched” and is urging the judge to exclude.
- Weinstein has a new lead trial lawyer, Marc Agnifilo, who joined the case in February after Arthur Aidala stepped aside to focus on appeals and civil matters.
- The judge indicated that a previously litigated topic — a claims fund for women alleging sexual misconduct by Weinstein — is unlikely to surface, as the defense does not plan to raise it in this retrial.
- Weinstein recently told the court he had “acted wrongly, but I never assaulted anyone,” reiterating his denial of criminal conduct.