Mark Axelowitz, an actor portraying a Manhattan prosecutor in Robert De Niro’s film The Alto Knights, was among several candidates to respond when a judge inquired about impartiality during jury selection. After being dismissed, Axelowitz expressed his strong dislike for the accused, highlighting his inability to remain neutral. Another potential juror also withdrew due to a personal history of sexual assault, while various others questioned the possibility of impartiality among jurors.
Former film mogul Harvey Weinstein is currently facing retrial after New York’s highest court overturned his previous conviction. The court cited improper rulings and tainted testimony in the initial trial, allowing Weinstein a fresh opportunity to contest the charges against him in a markedly different environment, notable for the global focus on sexual misconduct at the time of his first trial.
At 73, Weinstein, who has pleaded not guilty to allegations of rape and sexual assault, is dealing with significant health issues and appears far removed from his former prominence in the film industry. Even a potential acquittal would not result in his release, as he is concurrently appealing a separate 2022 rape conviction in Los Angeles, which carries a 16-year sentence.
In this retrial, Weinstein is accused of multiple sexual offences, including the rape of a prospective actor in 2013 and a separate incident involving forced oral sex on an assistant in 2006. Additionally, a new allegation has emerged from an unnamed woman claiming Weinstein assaulted her in a hotel.
The lawyer representing the latter accuser has emphasised that her testimony will strongly assert the non-consensual nature of the encounter, reinforcing the significance of seeking justice for victims of sexual assault. The accuser is determined to testify and advocate for others affected by similar crimes.
The judicial process currently underway involves meticulous jury selection, with Judge Curtis Farber allocating at least four days for this purpose. The court aims to narrow down from a large pool of potential jurors to the necessary 18, including 12 jurors and six alternates. During this selection, jurors are screened based on their capacity for impartiality and any personal obligations that might hinder their participation.
The judge will question approximately 80 potential jurors at a time, focusing on their backgrounds and any affiliations with law enforcement or crime victims. Both sides will be granted equal time to probe the suitability of each juror. If many jurors are dismissed, additional groups will be summoned until the desired jury is established.