Years after #MeToo, Weinstein faces another day in court

After years of legal battles and public scrutiny, Harvey Weinstein is set to face yet another courtroom reckoning , as jury selection begins this week in New York for a retrial on a rape charge .

The case centers on allegations brought by Jessica Mann , a hairstylist and actor who claims Weinstein raped her in a Manhattan hotel in 2013 . This marks the third time jurors will weigh her accusation after previous proceedings ended without a verdict on this charge.

Unlike earlier trials involving multiple accusers, this retrial will focus solely on Mann’s claim . Weinstein, 73, has consistently denied all allegations of non-consensual sex, stating he “ acted wrongly, but never assaulted anyone .”

Weinstein’s defense team has also changed. Attorney Marc Agnifilo has taken over from Arthur Aidala, a move expected to reshape courtroom strategy . Presiding Judge Curtis Farber may also reconsider key evidence rulings , potentially altering the course of the trial.

The retrial follows a complex legal history . Weinstein was previously convicted in New York for assaulting Miriam Haley, while being acquitted in a case involving Kaja Sokola. The jury failed to reach a verdict on Mann’s allegation, leading to this retrial.

Once a dominant Hollywood figure behind films like Pulp Fiction and Shakespeare in Love, Weinstein’s fall began in 2017 amid a wave of allegations that helped ignite the #MeToo movement .

Prosecutors argue Weinstein used his power and influence to exploit women, while the defense maintains the relationships were consensual .

Already serving time and facing appeals, Weinstein has cited declining health and emotional strain. The current charge carries a maximum sentence of four years in prison .

As proceedings resume, the case highlights the enduring legal fallout of one of the most significant scandals in the entertainment industry.