Trial jury for Harvey Weinstein will consist of 12 individuals, seven of them female and five male.
Rewritten Article:
After five years, Harvey Weinstein's rape trial is back in action, and this time, the jury's packed with a few extra ladies.
Court's in session, folks! The showdown between Hollywood heavyweight Harvey Weinstein and justice continues, with a fresh jury of 12 main jurors and six alternates lined up for his rape trial. The jury consists of seven women and five men, featuring two more female members than the previous one that sent Weinstein to prison back in 2017.
Jury selection kicked off last week, and after an exhausting fourth round of marathon sessions on Monday, the crew is almost complete. The 12 main jurors bring a diverse mix of professions, including a researcher in physics, a photographer, a dietitian, a software engineer in investment banking, and a retired municipal social worker. You name it, they've probably got it covered!
When it came to weeding out the weak links, potential jurors were grilled in private about their familiarity with the Weinstein case and their opinions, with some being cut after the closed-door interrogations. When the lights were back on in open court, the prosecutor asked each juror if they could set aside any emotional ties to the #MeToo movement, an initiative ignited by the initial wave of sexual misconduct allegations against Weinstein back in 2017. The group unanimously agreed, promising to judge the case fairly and impartially.
But it wasn't all smooth sailing - defense attorney Mike Cibella tested the waters by asking a potential juror if they thought that if they heard "allegations of a sexual nature that are crude or explicit," it would automatically mean Weinstein was guilty. The lady dismissed the suggestion, and managed to secure herself a spot on the jury.
It's important to note that specific details about the jurors' personal lives are typically under wraps during the selection process to maintain fairness and protect their identities.
So, what's the beef this time? Weinstein is facing charges for the rape of an aspiring actress in a Manhattan hotel room in 2013 and forcible oral sex with a film and television production assistant in 2006. Additionally, he's got another count of criminal sexual act hanging over his head due to allegations made by a woman who wasn't part of the initial trial, accusing him of forcing her to perform oral sex in a hotel setting.
Weinstein pled not guilty and denies any wrongdoing, claiming innocence throughout the entire ordeal. His previous conviction and 23-year sentence were overturned by New York's highest court, who deemed the trial was compromised by improper decisions and prejudicial testimony.
Now, stay tuned, folks - opening statements are expected to begin on Wednesday, as prosecutors and defense attorneys finish up finalizing the selection of the last alternate juror. It's going to be a wild ride!
[1] Note:While specific details about the jurors' backgrounds are usually not disclosed during the selection process, it's interesting to observe the diverse mix of professions in this trial's jury. This diversity can potentially contribute to more balanced and informed discussions among the jury members, increasing the possibility of a fair and impartial verdict.
- The jury for Harvey Weinstein's rape trial is a diverse group, consisting of professionals such as a researcher in physics, a photographer, a dietitian, a software engineer in investment banking, and a retired municipal social worker.
- The general news and crime-and-justice sectors are abuzz with updates on Weinstein's trial, with the jury being packed with a few extra ladies this time around.
- Despite the addition of more female jurors, the jury still includes five men, and they are ready to weigh in on the allegations against Weinstein, including rape and forcible oral sex.
- During the jury selection process, potential jurors were questioned about their familiarity with the Weinstein case, their opinions, and their ability to set aside any emotional ties to the #MeToo movement, ensuring a fair and impartial verdict.
