Harvey Weinstein retrial: Jessica Mann returns to court to repeat her account

Jessica Mann returned to a New York courtroom on Monday to describe allegations against Harvey Weinstein once again. Mann told jurors about events dating back to 2013. The testimony marked Mann’s third time giving an account in court. Weinstein has denied sexually assaulting anyone. Weinstein watched from a wheelchair at the defence table.

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The case returned to trial after several legal turns involving Mann’s rape allegation. Weinstein’s 2020 conviction was overturned for reasons not tied to Mann’s evidence. A later retrial involving several accusers ended without a decision on Mann’s part. That left only Mann’s rape charge to be tried again. Mann previously said, "I am ready, willing and able to endure this as many times as it takes for justice and accountability to be served\".

Harvey Weinstein retrial focuses on Jessica Mann rape charge

Mann testified that Mann met Weinstein at an acquaintance’s engagement party around early 2013. Mann said Weinstein wore a tuxedo and seemed cheerful. Mann told the jury, \"he was wearing a tuxedo and looked very jolly, so I went up and introduced myself to him\". Mann said Mann lived in Los Angeles and aimed to get acting work.

Later that night, Mann said Mann ran into Weinstein again at the same event. Mann testified that Weinstein spoke at length about film-making skills. Mann said Weinstein claimed to spot talent and praised Mann’s looks. Mann told jurors, \"He said I was really pretty, prettier than Natalie Portman\". Mann said Mann shared a phone number for work reasons.

Mann said Mann believed the contact could help Mann’s career, not lead to romance. Mann told the jury, \"He was interested in my look. I thought I just got discovered\". Weinstein listened as Mann spoke, and occasionally leaned over to speak with a lawyer. Mann looked toward Weinstein only when asked to identify Weinstein in court.

Harvey Weinstein retrial revisits #MeToo-era scrutiny

Prosecutors and Weinstein’s new lawyers were expected to question Mann for days. Mann once spent three days on the stand during earlier proceedings. Mann discussed private details and explained continued contact with Weinstein. During one past appearance, Mann sobbed heavily and court ended early. Weinstein was convicted in 2020, in a verdict seen as a #MeToo victory.

Weinstein’s defence has again portrayed Mann as a determined aspirant seeking opportunities. Lawyers have suggested Mann had fully consensual sex and benefited from connections. They argued Mann later changed course after media reports about other accusations. Those 2017 reports helped spark the #MeToo movement. Mann has contested that portrayal throughout prior testimony.

Harvey Weinstein retrial hears Jessica Mann background and relationship timeline

Mann, 40, grew up in a small town in Washington state and trained as a hairstylist. Mann said Mann wanted to act and moved to Los Angeles in Mann’s 20s. Mann said money problems were severe, including times living in a car. Mann said some commercial and film work came before meeting Weinstein.

Mann testified that Mann accepted invitations after Weinstein showed interest in Mann’s career. Mann described an early meeting as a shopping trip for cinema books. Mann has said Weinstein later made sexual advances that Mann did not seek. Mann said Mann accepted them and entered a relationship with mixed feelings. Mann said Weinstein was married at the time.

Mann has said the relationship included encouragement as well as pressure. Mann said Mann sometimes valued support and sometimes resented sexual expectations. Mann said Mann remained aware of Weinstein’s influence in film careers. Mann alleged that in March 2013, Mann travelled to New York with a friend. Mann said Mann planned breakfast with Weinstein and friends.

Mann testified in earlier trials that Weinstein isolated Mann in a Manhattan hotel room. Mann said Weinstein shut the door when Mann tried to leave. Mann said Weinstein raped Mann despite objections. Mann said Mann told Weinstein, \"I dont want to do this\" and \"no\". Mann later continued seeing Weinstein and described many later encounters as largely consensual.

Over about four years, Mann sent Weinstein messages that became central to the defence case. Mann wrote \"miss you", "there is no one else I would enjoy catching up with that understands me quite like you", and "I love you, always do. But I hate feeling like a booty call\". Weinstein’s lawyers said the notes suggested a caring relationship. Mann said Mann tried to manage a complex situation with a volatile man.

The Associated Press does not name people who say they faced sexual assault unless they consent. Mann agreed to be identified. Mann’s testimony now returns to a single charge after the earlier mistrial outcome. The jury was expected to hear more questioning on the alleged 2013 hotel incident. Weinstein continued to deny wrongdoing as the proceedings moved forward.

With inputs from PTI