Jury withdrew to deliberations in the Weinstein trial

In the trial of former film producer Harvey Weinstein for sexual assault, the jury retired on Friday followingnoon (local time) in a Los Angeles court to deliberate on the verdict. It is regarding allegations by four women in a period from 2004 to 2013. Most of the attacks are said to have taken place in hotels in Beverly Hills. In the event of a guilty verdict on all counts, the 70-year-old faces decades of imprisonment.

After a week-long trial with dozens of testimonies, the 12 jurors must decide seven counts, including rape and other sexual assault.

In the closing arguments, the prosecution described Weinstein as a rapist who used his power to prey on women and act like a predator. The defense argued that the sexual acts were consensual or that some of the allegations made were fabricated by the plaintiffs.

With the trial in California, Weinstein was once more on trial for sexual assault. A trial in New York ended in 2020 with a guilty verdict and a 23-year prison sentence. His legal team has appealed the verdict.