Weinstein's New York rape charge dropped after accuser says she can't endure a 4th trial

By — Jennifer Peltz, Associated Press Jennifer Peltz, Associated Press Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/weinsteins-new-york-rape-charge-dropped-after-accuser-says-she-cant-endure-a-4th-trial Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Weinstein's New York rape charge dropped after accuser says she can't endure a 4th trial Nation Jun 25, 2026 2:58 PM EDT NEW YORK (AP) — Harvey Weinstein won't face a fourth trial on a New York rape charge. Prosecutors dropped the #MeToo-era case on Thursday after his accuser said she could not bear to testify again. The movie mogul still stands convicted of another sexual felony in New York and others in California, and he remains behind bars. But the New York rape charge had remained unresolved after an overturned conviction followed by two hung juries. READ MORE: Judge declares mistrial in Harvey Weinstein's New York rape retrial after jury deadlocks Jessica Mann, a hairstylist and actor, spent days on the witness stand at all three trials, telling jurors that Weinstein raped her in a Manhattan hotel in 2013 and being questioned extensively about the complex relationship she had with him before and afterward. The Oscar-winning producer denied the charge and said everything that happened between him and Mann was consensual. In a letter that prosecutor Nicole Blumberg quoted in court Thursday, Mann said she could "no longer endure going through this," adding that the 8-year-old case has "put me through more harm than good." Blumberg told the court that prosecutors believe Mann and hail her "bravery, strength, courage and inspiration" to other survivors, but given her feelings about proceeding, "dismissal is appropriate." With that, Judge Curtis Farber formally dismissed the case. Weinstein left court with a neutral expression, returning to jail to await a September sentencing on a New York sexual assault conviction involving a different woman. Prosecutors are seeking a 20-year prison term. Once Weinstein finishes whatever punishment he gets in New York, he's due to serve 16 years in California, where he was convicted of raping a third woman, who's an Italian actor. He is appealing both convictions. Weinstein's lawyers said he was was relieved by the dismissal of the case surrounding Mann's allegation. "These charges should never have been brought to begin with," lawyer Jacob Kaplan said outside court. "He is innocent." Mann has testified that she had a consensual, on-and-off relationship with Weinstein, who was married at the time. But she told jurors she repeatedly tried to leave and said no to any sexual activity as he cornered her in a hotel room on March 18, 2013. They had planned to meet in the lobby for breakfast, but he had spontaneously taken a room. She said he persevered, demanding that she undress and grabbing her arms, until she was afraid to keep protesting. The latest trial, this spring, took a visible toll on Mann, 40. Duri