Harvey Weinstein will not take the stand in his ongoing sex crimes retrial in New York City, according to his defense team.
Weinstein’s attorney, Arthur Aidala, confirmed the decision on Sunday, as reported by the Associated Press. The trial is set to resume Tuesday with closing arguments. The court does not hold sessions on Mondays.
The former Hollywood producer faces two counts of committing a criminal sexual act in the first degree and one count of third-degree rape. The charges are based on allegations made by former model Kaja Sokola, former TV production assistant Miriam Haley, and aspiring actor Jessica Mann. Weinstein has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Although Weinstein had considered testifying, his team ultimately decided against it. “He wanted to testify, and we respect that instinct,” spokesperson Juda Engelmayer said in a statement. “But at this stage, doing so could unfairly damage his credibility. Our position is one of caution, not evasion.”
The defense began presenting its case last week. On Friday, jurors heard prior testimony from Talita Maia, a former friend and roommate of Jessica Mann. Maia was unavailable to appear in person, so a transcript from Weinstein’s 2020 trial was read aloud. In it, she stated that Mann never expressed discomfort around Weinstein or mentioned any assault.
Other defense witnesses included Thomas Richards, another friend of Mann’s, and Helga Semulsen, a former roommate of Kaja Sokola in 2005.
Weinstein did not testify during his original New York trial in 2020, nor during his separate 2022 rape trial in Los Angeles, where he was also convicted. He is currently appealing that verdict.
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