A New York judge declared a mistrial on a rape charge in Harvey Weinstein’s sex crimes trial after one juror refused to continue deliberations over an alleged attack in 2013 on actress Jessica Mann.
The jury had found Weinstein guilty of one count of sexual assault and not guilty of another count on Wednesday, but kept deliberating about a final rape charge.
Thursday’s mistrial comes after Weinstein’s earlier sex crimes conviction in the state was overturned last year, leading to new charges last September.
A panel of seven female and five male jurors deliberated for six days in the six-week trial before one juror declined to continue discussions.
Jury deliberations in the trial were plagued with tensions. The jury foreperson brought concerns to the judge earlier this week, saying jurors were “attacking” one another and trying to change his mind.
On Wednesday, he brought more complaints to the judge, indicating that “at least one other juror made comments to the effect of ‘I’ll meet you outside one day,’ and there’s yelling and screaming”, Judge Curtis Farber told the court.
On Thursday, the foreperson said he would not go back to the jury room to deliberate because he was afraid of others yelling at him, so the judge declared a mistrial on the last rape charge.
