Harvey Weinstein hires Mangione’s defense team for third New York rape trial

Harvey Weinstein has reshaped his defense team ahead of his third New York rape trial, hiring the same lawyers who represent the vigilante Luigi Mangione in his high-profile criminal case.

Court filings submitted Tuesday confirm that attorneys Jacob Kaplan, Marc Agnifilo and Teny Geragos will take over Weinstein’s courtroom defense. His longtime lawyer, Arthur Aidala , will continue handling appeals and related civil matters.

Weinstein’s spokesperson said the former film producer believes a new legal strategy offers the best chance forward after two previous trials failed to fully resolve the case. The shift signals Weinstein’s desire to adopt the same aggressive approach used by Mangione’s defense team.

Kaplan, Agnifilo and Geragos currently represent Mangione in state and federal prosecutions linked to the killing of Brian Thompson . In that case, they have already won key rulings, including dismissal of terrorism charges in state court and a federal decision blocking the death penalty. Mangione’s state trial is scheduled for June 8.

Weinstein’s third trial centers on an unresolved allegation that he raped hairstylist and actor Jessica Mann in a Manhattan hotel in 2013. Originally set to begin on March 3, the trial has been delayed , and a new start date has not yet been announced. Weinstein is scheduled to appear in court on March 4 for a status conference with Judge Curtis Farber to discuss the trial timeline.

Last year’s retrial ended with a split verdict: Weinstein was convicted of forcing oral sex on Miriam Haley , acquitted of a charge involving Kaja Sokola , and the jury deadlocked on Mann’s rape claim after internal conflict halted deliberations.

Prosecutors say Mann’s testimony and supporting evidence remain strong, while Weinstein maintains the encounter was consensual and argues that jury infighting exposed weaknesses in the case. Judge Farber rejected claims the verdict was tainted, stating Weinstein received a fair trial.

Weinstein remains imprisoned based on the Haley conviction and a separate California sentence, both under appeal. If convicted on the Mann charge, he faces up to four additional years in prison.