In a Manhattan courtroom, the retrial of former Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein has begun, reigniting one of the most significant cases of the #MeToo movement. The 73-year-old disgraced producer faces charges of rape and sexual assault, including a new allegation from former model Kaja Sokola. This high-profile case, which started on April 23, 2025, comes after New York’s highest court overturned Weinstein’s 2020 conviction due to judicial errors, setting the stage for a renewed legal battle.
Weinstein’s original 2020 conviction was a defining moment for the #MeToo movement, which gained momentum in 2017 after numerous women accused him of sexual misconduct. He was sentenced to 23 years in prison for third-degree rape and a first-degree criminal sexual act. However, in April 2024, the New York Court of Appeals ruled that the trial was unfair due to prejudicial testimony from witnesses not directly related to the charges. This decision led to the current retrial, which revisits allegations from two women, Jessica Mann and Miriam Haley, and introduces a new charge from Sokola.
The retrial is not just about revisiting past accusations but also about addressing new claims that have surfaced. Weinstein, who has consistently denied all allegations of non-consensual sex, appeared in court in a wheelchair, reflecting his deteriorating health, including chronic myeloid leukemia and diabetes. Despite his frail appearance, the stakes remain high as prosecutors aim to hold him accountable, while his defense argues that the encounters were consensual.
A significant addition to the retrial is the testimony of Kaja Sokola, a former model who alleges that Weinstein sexually assaulted her in 2002 when she was just 16 years old. According to prosecutors, Sokola met Weinstein during a modeling trip to New York from Poland. She claims he lured her to his Manhattan apartment under the pretense of discussing acting opportunities, only to assault her by forcing her to touch his genitals. This allegation forms the basis of a new criminal sex act charge, making Sokola the youngest accuser to testify against Weinstein.
Sokola’s testimony is particularly compelling, as it highlights the power dynamics that prosecutors say Weinstein exploited. Assistant District Attorney Shannon Lucey told the jury that Weinstein used his influence as a Hollywood gatekeeper to manipulate and silence women, ensuring their compliance by holding their careers hostage. Sokola’s lawyer has criticized Weinstein’s defense for relying on “victim blaming” and perpetuating “rape myths,” emphasizing the emotional toll of coming forward.
The retrial also revisits allegations from Jessica Mann and Miriam Haley, who testified in the original 2020 trial. Mann, a former aspiring actress, alleges that Weinstein raped her in a Manhattan hotel room in 2013. She described a complex relationship with Weinstein, which began consensually but turned violent. During her testimony on May 19, 2025, Mann pointed sharply at Weinstein as she left the stand in tears, marking a dramatic moment in the courtroom. Her account underscores the emotional weight of confronting a once-powerful figure.
Miriam Haley, a former production assistant on Weinstein’s “Project Runway,” alleges that he forcibly performed oral sex on her in 2006. Haley, who has also gone by Mimi Haleyi, testified on April 30, 2025, recounting the assault and her initial reluctance to testify again after the 2020 conviction was overturned. She admitted to maintaining contact with Weinstein after the incident, a point the defense has used to argue that the encounters were consensual. However, prosecutors argue that such behavior is common among victims who fear retaliation or hope to salvage their careers.
Weinstein’s lead attorney, Arthur Aidala, has pushed back against the prosecution’s narrative, portraying the accusers as willing participants who sought to benefit from Weinstein’s influence in Hollywood. Aidala argued that the relationships were “mutually beneficial,” with the women gaining auditions and career opportunities. “The casting couch is not a crime scene,” he told the jury, a statement that has drawn criticism for trivializing the allegations. The defense’s strategy hinges on casting doubt on the accusers’ credibility by highlighting their continued interactions with Weinstein post-assault.
Weinstein’s health has been a recurring issue during the retrial. His legal team successfully petitioned to have him transferred from Rikers Island to Bellevue Hospital due to his medical conditions, including leukemia and coronary artery disease. He arrives at court daily in a wheelchair, a stark contrast to the powerful image he once projected as a Hollywood titan. This has added a layer of complexity to the proceedings, with his attorneys arguing that his frail condition should be considered.
The courtroom atmosphere reflects a shift in the cultural landscape since the height of the #MeToo movement. While the 2020 trial was marked by protests and public outcry, the retrial has a more subdued tone, though the significance of the case remains undeniable. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg has been present in the courtroom, signaling the case’s importance to his office.
The retrial is a critical moment for the #MeToo movement, which has evolved since its peak in 2017. The overturning of Weinstein’s original conviction raised questions about the durability of legal victories in high-profile sexual assault cases. Advocates like Lindsay Goldbrum, a lawyer for one of the accusers, see the retrial as a “pivotal moment” for accountability, signaling to survivors that their voices matter. However, the defense’s focus on consensual relationships and the passage of time since the initial allegations highlight the challenges of prosecuting such cases.
Weinstein’s legal battles extend beyond New York. He is serving a 16-year sentence in California for a 2022 rape conviction, which is also under appeal. Even if acquitted in New York, he is unlikely to walk free due to the California sentence. This reality underscores the complexity of his legal saga, which continues to captivate public attention.
As the retrial progresses, the jury—a panel of seven women and five men—will weigh the testimonies of Sokola, Mann, and Haley against Weinstein’s defense. The inclusion of Sokola’s allegations adds a fresh dimension to the case, potentially strengthening the prosecution’s argument about a pattern of predatory behavior. However, the defense’s strategy to question the accusers’ motives and relationships with Weinstein may sway some jurors.
The outcome of this trial will have lasting implications for the #MeToo movement and the broader conversation about power and accountability in Hollywood. For now, the world watches as a Manhattan courtroom revisits a case that once shook the entertainment industry to its core.
Read more about Weinstein’s retrial on AP News
Follow updates on The Guardian
Learn about the #MeToo movement on PBS News
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