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The jury in disgraced movie mogul Harvey Weinstein's rape trial hinted Friday it was struggling to reach an agreement on the most serious charge of predatory sexual assault.
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On day four of deliberations, the 12 jurors asked Judge James Burke whether they could be hung on one or both of the top counts but unanimous on the other three.
Weinstein, 67, faces life in prison if the jury of seven men and five women convict him of predatory sexual assault in New York.
The jury is considering five counts against the fallen film producer: two of predatory sexual assault, two of rape and one of engaging in a criminal sexual act.
The jury must reach unanimous verdicts on each count, although if they find him guilty of the most serious charges, they do not need to consider the lesser ones.
On Friday, the jurors submitted a written question to Burke asking whether they could be hung on the predatory sexual assault charges but reach decisions on rape and the criminal sexual act.
Burke told them to take more time after lead prosecutor Joan Illuzzi-Orbon said the state was not willing to accept a partial verdict at the moment.
"Please resume your deliberations," he said, without directly answering their question.
The defense said it was OK with a partial verdict.
Testimony of 'Sopranos' actress key to most serious charges
The charges relate to ex-actress Jessica Mann and former production assistant Mimi Haleyi.
Mann, 34, says Weinstein raped her in March 2013, while Haleyi allRead More – Source
Issued on: Modified:
The jury in disgraced movie mogul Harvey Weinstein's rape trial hinted Friday it was struggling to reach an agreement on the most serious charge of predatory sexual assault.
Advertising
Read more
On day four of deliberations, the 12 jurors asked Judge James Burke whether they could be hung on one or both of the top counts but unanimous on the other three.
Weinstein, 67, faces life in prison if the jury of seven men and five women convict him of predatory sexual assault in New York.
The jury is considering five counts against the fallen film producer: two of predatory sexual assault, two of rape and one of engaging in a criminal sexual act.
The jury must reach unanimous verdicts on each count, although if they find him guilty of the most serious charges, they do not need to consider the lesser ones.
On Friday, the jurors submitted a written question to Burke asking whether they could be hung on the predatory sexual assault charges but reach decisions on rape and the criminal sexual act.
Burke told them to take more time after lead prosecutor Joan Illuzzi-Orbon said the state was not willing to accept a partial verdict at the moment.
"Please resume your deliberations," he said, without directly answering their question.
The defense said it was OK with a partial verdict.
Testimony of 'Sopranos' actress key to most serious charges
The charges relate to ex-actress Jessica Mann and former production assistant Mimi Haleyi.
Mann, 34, says Weinstein raped her in March 2013, while Haleyi allRead More – Source
