> At a Glance
> – Harvey Weinstein may plead guilty to third-degree rape to avoid another trial
> – The charge involves Jessica Mann’s 2013 allegation; two prior juries deadlocked or overturned
> – Judge set March 3 for a new trial while denying dismissal of a separate conviction
> – Why it matters: The potential deal could end one of the longest-running #MeToo legal battles
Harvey Weinstein told a Manhattan judge he is weighing a guilty plea on a single third-degree rape count, a move that would spare him a third New York trial and finally resolve allegations from former aspiring actress Jessica Mann.
Plea Talks and Courtroom Tensions
Defense lawyer Arthur Aidala informed the court that Weinstein is considering the plea, even as the ex-producer maintained his innocence.
> “I know I was unfaithful and acted wrongly, but I never assaulted anyone,” Weinstein told Judge Curtis Farber.
The charge stems from Mann’s claim that Weinstein raped her in a New York hotel in March 2013. A 2020 conviction on the count was overturned in 2024; a retrial jury failed to reach a verdict last year.
Separate Conviction Upheld
While the Mann case hangs in limbo, Weinstein’s conviction for a first-degree criminal sexual act against former “Project Runway” assistant Miriam Haley remains intact. The jury found him guilty of forcibly performing oral sex on Haley in 2006.
Weinstein’s legal team sought to scrap that conviction, citing alleged juror infighting, but Farber refused, calling the trial fair.
> “The weight of justice grows heavier after 19 months at Rikers,” Weinstein said, describing the isolation as “soul-crushing.”
Prosecutor Nicole Blumberg urged immediate sentencing on the Haley count, arguing:
> “Mimi Haley deserves closure and not have to keep her life on hold while a retrial occurs.”
Farber declined, opting to wait until the Mann matter concludes.
What Happens Next
- March 3 tentative trial date set if no plea deal is reached
- Weinstein remains at Rikers Island pending resolution
- Potential plea would resolve the final open New York charge
| Outcome | Charge | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Convicted | 1st-degree criminal sexual act (Haley) | Awaiting sentence |
| Overturned | 3rd-degree rape (Mann) | Possible plea or retrial |
| Acquitted | 1st-degree criminal sexual act (Sokola) | Closed |
Key Takeaways
- A plea would end the last unresolved New York case against Weinstein
- The judge upheld the Haley conviction despite defense claims of juror misconduct
- Sentencing on the upheld conviction is on hold until the Mann situation is settled
- Weinstein has spent over 19 months in city jail awaiting final outcomes
The next court date will reveal whether Weinstein accepts a plea or faces another jury.
