Harvey Weinstein trial ends in mistrial

Former Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein faced another legal setback after a New York jury failed to reach a unanimous verdict on a rape charge involving aspiring actress Jessica Mann.

Justice Curtis Farber declared a mistrial on Friday after jurors said they were hopelessly deadlocked.

The retrial focused on Mann’s claim that Weinstein raped her in a Manhattan hotel room in 2013 despite her repeated refusals. Weinstein denied the accusation and pleaded not guilty, while his lawyers argued the relationship was consensual.

This was the third criminal trial involving Weinstein in New York, and a previous jury also deadlocked on the same charges last year. Prosecutors now have a month to decide whether to seek a retrial.

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg said prosecutors were disappointed and would review their next steps with Mann. Defense lawyer Marc Agnifilo urged prosecutors to drop the case.

The mistrial does not clear the way for Weinstein’s release.

The 74-year-old former film mogul will remain in prison because of separate convictions in California and New York linked to sexual abuse cases.