Jurors in the trial against Harvey Weinstein are deadlocked, according to reports. They indicated that they are deadlocked on the two most serious counts, and the judge told them that the verdict must be unanimous. The 67-year-old is facing five criminal charges of assault and rape.
New York Supreme Court Judge James Burke told the jury that if they can’t reach a unanimous decision, then it can’t return a verdict on the two counts of predatory sexual assault. The max sentence is life in prison; the judge asked the jury to continue deliberations on Monday.
“It is not uncommon for a jury to believe they will never reach a unanimous verdict but on further deliberation, they are often able to reach a unanimous verdict,” Burke told the courtroom.
The jury began deliberations Tuesday. Weinstein’s defense team said they would accept a partial verdict, but prosecutors refused. The way the charges are structured Weinstein cannot be found guilty of more than two of the charges; first-degree rape and criminal sex act charges are each punishable by 5-25 years in prison. A third-degree rape charge is punishable by up to four years behind bars.
More than 80 women have accused Weinstein of sexual misconduct, but the charges are based on allegations from Project Runway assistant Mimi Haley and actress Jessica Mann. Six women, including Annabella Sciorra, testified to establish a pattern of behavior. Weinstein pleaded not guilty.