New York prosecutors have decided to drop a rape charge against former movie mogul Harvey Weinstein. The charge, which had remained unresolved after an overturned conviction and two hung juries, concerned an allegation that Weinstein raped hairstylist and actor Jessica Mann in a Manhattan hotel in 2013.
Background
Weinstein still stands convicted of another sexual felony in New York and others in California, and he is currently behind bars. The 74-year-old Weinstein has denied all accusations, with his lawyers maintaining that his accusers had consensual sexual liaisons with him.
Mann had testified that she repeatedly tried to leave and said no to any sexual activity as Weinstein cornered her in the hotel room. She said he persevered, demanding that she undress and grabbing her arms, until she was afraid to keep protesting.
The rape charge in this case was a low-level felony punishable by up to four years in prison — less time than Weinstein has already served. He faces considerably longer sentences on the separate sex crime charges that produced convictions in New York and Los Angeles.
Original reporting: WPBF West Palm Beach — read the source article.
