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Weinstein defense urges acquittal as prosecutors seek to revive a #MeToo-era rape conviction
Weinstein’s lawyers say evidence shows a consensual relationship and a false narrative as prosecutors prepare to answer in closing arguments.
On Tuesday, defense lawyer Marc Agnifilo urged jurors to acquit Harvey Weinstein during closing arguments in the retrial regarding the 2013 rape of Jessica Mann.
Mann testified Weinstein trapped her in a hotel room and raped her, while his defense contends the encounter was consensual and part of a caring relationship she fostered for four years.
Agnifilo pointed to 'warm email exchanges' and continued get-togethers, arguing Weinstein supported Mann's acting ambitions and was 'a very important person in her life' throughout the four years.
Prosecutors will present their case later Tuesday to the jury, which must weigh this retrial after a 2020 conviction was overturned and a subsequent trial ended in deadlock.
Regardless of the verdict, Weinstein remains convicted of other sex crimes in New York and California, though he is currently appealing those convictions.
Harvey Weinstein's defense urged the jury to end Tuesday's rape case of the #MeToo era that has gone to trial three times, arguing that the Hollywood ex-magnate must be acquitted.