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Agence France-Presse

Prosecutors in the rape retrial of disgraced US movie mogul Harvey Weinstein told Tuesday how he wielded his power to prey on then-aspiring actress Jessica Mann.
Weinstein, a central figure of abuse allegations that spurred the #MeToo movement, appeared at the New York courtroom in a wheelchair due to ill health.
He is being retried on a count of third-degree rape against Mann that allegedly happened in 2013 in a Manhattan hotel room.
Last June, a judge declared a mistrial on the charge after the jury foreman refused to return to deliberate the case amid a jury-room feud.
Weinstein, 74, is already imprisoned for other sex offences, so he will remain behind bars regardless of the retrial verdict.

“This case will come down to power, to control and manipulation,” Assistant District Attorney Candace White said.
She told how Weinstein used his Hollywood clout to take advantage of Mann – then a 27-year-old “barely scraping by” – including by enticing her with a role in a film that she had no chance of getting.
Mann’s childhood background of abuse and a sexual assault made her the “perfect target” for Weinstein, the prosecutor told the jury.
“The defendant preyed upon a fragile and sheltered young woman,” White said.
Weinstein, who wore a suit, appeared engaged throughout the proceedings and watched along as lawyers delivered their opening statements.
His lawyer Jacob Kaplan sought to dismiss Mann’s rape allegation by pointing to four years of contact between her and Weinstein, ending after other actresses came forward with claims against him in 2017.
He countered that the case is actually “about consent, about choice and about regret.”
Kaplan said the pair had a consensual sexual relationship and pointed to “loving and supportive” messages they exchanged by email.
“This case will be her word against her own word,” he said, arguing that Mann masked her ties with Weinstein as “she didn’t want others to think that she was sleeping her way to success”.

The trial is set to demonstrate the power dynamics of the film industry, particularly for young women, as well as the complexities of rape trials.
In a bid to clarify Mann’s relationship with Weinstein, the prosecution said it will call a forensic psychologist to explain the sometimes “counterintuitive behaviour” of sexual assault victims.
Weinstein is already serving a 16-year prison term in a California case for the rape of a European actress more than a decade ago.
He is appealing against that conviction, and another from the trial in June.
Before their foreman quit, the jury convicted Weinstein of sexual assault against film producer Miriam Haley and acquitted him of the same alleged crime against Polish-born actress Kaja Sokola.
Weinstein has hired a new legal team including Marc Agnifilo, who represents high-profile figures including rapper Sean “Diddy” Combs.
The Oscar-winning Weinstein has claimed to be under threat at the notorious Rikers Island jail complex in the Bronx where he is being held, leaving him mostly in solitary confinement.
“I’m constantly threatened and derided. I wouldn’t last long out there,” he told the Hollywood Reporter at the start of the year.
Weinstein was known for his fiery temper, and the industry had long been rife with suggestions that he took advantage of his power to sexually exploit women.
In 2017, blockbuster investigations by The New Yorker and The New York Times laid bare a series of claims by young women that triggered an avalanche of allegations from more than 80 complainants and prompted the global #MeToo movement.


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Sexual harassment and assault

Former Hollywood film producer Harvey Weinstein appears in Manhattan Supreme Court on Tuesday. Photo: AFP

Jessica Mann (left) is seen outside Manhattan criminal court after a hearing for Harvey Weinstein in July 2024. Photo: AP

Manhattan Assistant District Attorney Candace White leaves Harvey Weinstein’s trial during a mid-day break on Tuesday. Photo: AP

Harvey Weinstein rape retrial begins in New York

Harvey Weinstein appears at Manhattan Supreme Court for the start of jury selection on Tuesday. Photo: Reuters

Jessica Mann arrives for the trial of Harvey Weinstein in New York in January 2020. Photo: AFP

Lawyer Marc Agnifilo. Photo: AFP

Harvey Weinstein calls prison ‘hell’ in interview behind bars

Harvey Weinstein in court in New York earlier this month. Photo: AP

 Rikers Island jail complex. Photo: AFP

Harvey Weinstein at the Oscars in 2014. Photo: Invision/AP

Harvey Weinstein accuser Kaja Sokola is being sued for defamation by her sister

Harvey Weinstein accuser Kaja Sokola arrives at Manhattan criminal court in New York in May. Photo: AP

Prosecution witness Ewa Sokola, right, appears at court in the case against Weinstein in Manhattan, New York in May. Photo: AP

Harvey Weinstein judge declares mistrial on rape charge, third sex crimes trial planned

Harvey Weinstein in court on Wednesday. Photo: AFP

Harvey Weinstein in a courtroom sketch. Image: Elizabeth Williams via AP

Arthur Aidala, defence lawyer for Harvey Weinstein, exits Manhattan criminal court on Thursday. Photo: AP

Kaja Sokola, right, alleged victim of Harvey Weinstein, leaves Manhattan criminal court with her lawyer Megan Goddard on Thursday. Photo: AFP

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World

United States & Canada

The Hollywood mogul took advantage of Jessica Mann by enticing her with a film role she had no chance of getting, prosecutors say


The Hollywood mogul took advantage of Jessica Mann by enticing her with a film role she had no chance of getting, prosecutors say.


Weinstein preyed on aspiring US actress, court told in rape retrial

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}The Hollywood mogul took advantage of Jessica Mann by enticing her with a film role she had no chance of getting, prosecutors say

The Hollywood mogul took advantage of Jessica Mann by enticing her with a film role she had no chance of getting, prosecutors say