Harvey Weinstein retrial: Jessica Mann recounts alleged 2013 New York hotel assault

Jessica Mann told jurors on Tuesday that Harvey Weinstein assaulted Jessica Mann in 2013. Jessica Mann said the attack happened inside a Manhattan hotel room. Jessica Mann said pleas to stop were ignored. Harvey Weinstein watched during the account and sometimes drank water. The case has been tried more than once.

Representative image

Weinstein, a 73-year-old prison inmate, denies assaulting anyone. Attorneys for Weinstein said the relationship was consensual. The defence had not yet questioned Jessica Mann at this retrial. Weinstein is also appealing other sex crime convictions. Those convictions stem from accusations on two US coasts.

Harvey Weinstein rape case retrial and earlier verdicts

Weinstein was convicted in 2020 of raping Jessica Mann. That conviction was later overturned. A retrial last year ended without a verdict after jurors deadlocked. On Tuesday, Jessica Mann testified for a third time in this repeatedly retried case. Jessica Mann is 40 and works as a hairstylist and actor.

Jurors watched closely as Jessica Mann continued a second day of testimony. Several jurors held pens ready to write notes. Jessica Mann cried at times, as in the earlier trials. Jessica Mann was asked whether a break was needed. Jessica Mann declined and kept speaking to the court.

Harvey Weinstein relationship timeline and career promises

Jessica Mann said Jessica Mann met Weinstein at a Los Angeles-area party in early 2013. Jessica Mann had done some acting work and wanted a bigger role. Weinstein showed interest and kept arranging meetings, Jessica Mann said. These meetings mixed career talk with invitations and advances. Jessica Mann said the advances felt uncomfortable.

Jessica Mann said an emotional meltdown once stopped an episode involving Weinstein and another woman. Despite that distress, Jessica Mann said a consensual sexual relationship began with Weinstein. Jessica Mann said, "this is just normal for men to kind of be that way, and I just thought that maybe by being a in relationship with him, it would make me feel better.\"

Jessica Mann said Weinstein could be charming and make Jessica Mann feel validated. Jessica Mann also said Jessica Mann felt belittled by talks about sexual practices. Jessica Mann described a shift when Weinstein heard refusal. Jessica Mann said it was \"like this monster side came out of a demanding man who flaunted his Hollywood influence.\"

Harvey Weinstein hotel room account and jury testimony

Jessica Mann said Weinstein arrived in New York ahead of a planned breakfast. Jessica Mann said the trip came from joining a friend’s work travel. Weinstein took a room at Jessica Mann’s hotel, Jessica Mann said. Jessica Mann said Jessica Mann protested at the front desk. A former hotel employee earlier supported that part of the timeline.

Jessica Mann said Weinstein snapped at Jessica Mann not to embarrass Weinstein. Jessica Mann said Jessica Mann went up to the room to settle matters privately. Jessica Mann said, \"But he wasnt listening to me; he was just telling me to undress.\" Jessica Mann said, \"Please dont. I dont want to,\" and tried twice to open the door.

Jessica Mann said Weinstein shut the door and restrained Jessica Mann. Jessica Mann said Weinstein grabbed Jessica Mann’s wrists and crossed them in front of Jessica Mann’s face. Jessica Mann said, \"That was really scary, so I remember just like kind of like - just shutting down and giving up, because I had been fighting and arguing. So I obeyed, by undressing and lying on the bed,\"

Jessica Mann said Weinstein later went to the bathroom and then came back. Jessica Mann said Weinstein raped Jessica Mann after returning. Jessica Mann said Jessica Mann then went downstairs to breakfast with friends. Jessica Mann said Jessica Mann felt shocked but did not show it. Jessica Mann said, \"I said no over and over, and I tried to leave,\" and added, \"He just treated me like he owned me.\"

Jessica Mann said Jessica Mann did not tell anyone then about the alleged rape. Jessica Mann said Jessica Mann accepted an invitation to extend the trip. Jessica Mann said Jessica Mann went to a film screening. Jessica Mann said Jessica Mann also had tea with Weinstein and Weinstein’s daughter. Jessica Mann said, \"I just wanted everyone to act like everything was normal,\"

The Associated Press said it does not name people who report sexual assault. The policy changes if the person agrees to be identified. Jessica Mann agreed to be named, the news agency said. The retrial continued as the defence prepared to question Jessica Mann. Weinstein’s position remained that nothing was forced.

With inputs from PTI