Harvey Weinstein is once again facing a jury in New York City, retrying charges of rape and sexual assault after his initial 2020 conviction was overturned. Weinstein, the disgraced Hollywood mogul, maintains his innocence, claiming he has been "wrongfully convicted."

The retrial commenced in April 2025, after New York's highest court overturned his 2020 conviction, a landmark moment from the #MeToo movement. The court found that the trial judge had erroneously allowed women to testify about allegations that were not part of the charges against him, thus depriving Weinstein of a fair trial. Despite the overturned conviction, Weinstein remains imprisoned due to his 2022 rape conviction in Los Angeles, for which he received a 16-year sentence. He is appealing that conviction as well.

The prosecution is presenting the cases of three women: Miriam Haley, Kaja Sokola, and Jessica Mann. Haley and Mann were part of the original 2020 trial, while Sokola's allegations are new to this retrial. Sokola alleges that Weinstein forced oral sex on her in 2006 when she was 19 years old. Prosecutors say she came forward days before his first trial but wasn't part of that case and they revisited her allegations when his conviction was thrown out.

During opening statements, prosecutors argued that Weinstein wielded a "psychological hold" over his victims, using his power and influence in Hollywood to manipulate and control them. They contend that he used "dream opportunities as weapons" to prey on the three accusers in the case. The defense, however, paints a different picture, arguing that the sexual acts were consensual and that the women were "flirtatious" with Weinstein. Weinstein's lawyer argued the accusers were "trying to take advantage of Mr. Weinstein when he was at the top," then benefited from making allegations "when he was headed toward the bottom."

Jessica Mann recently testified, recounting a harrowing experience of alleged rape in a New York City hotel in 2013. She claimed that Weinstein grabbed her arms and demanded she take her clothes off. Following the alleged assault, she stated she discovered an erection-inducing syringe in the bathroom trash.

Adding to Weinstein's legal woes, prosecutors in New York have indicated their intention to bring more rape charges against him, stating that the claims fall within the state's statute of limitations. A grand jury has already indicted Weinstein on these new charges, though the details remain sealed.

Weinstein also faces serious health issues. Reports from late 2024 indicated he has been diagnosed with bone marrow cancer. He has also been hospitalized with COVID and double pneumonia.

The retrial is expected to be a lengthy and closely watched affair. The outcome will have significant implications, not only for Weinstein but also for the #MeToo movement and the broader conversation surrounding sexual assault and accountability.