Key facts
- New York prosecutors have dropped a rape charge against Harvey Weinstein.
- The accuser, Jessica Mann, declined to testify again, citing the emotional toll of multiple trials.
- Weinstein's third trial for the alleged rape of Mann ended in a mistrial in May.
- Weinstein has pleaded not guilty to the charge and denies assaulting anyone.
- The Manhattan district attorney's office requested a 20-year sentence for Weinstein's conviction in a separate case involving Miriam Haley.
Manhattan prosecutors have moved to drop a third-degree rape charge against Harvey Weinstein after the accuser, aspiring actress Jessica Mann, stated she did not want to testify again. This would have been a fourth trial for Weinstein related to sexual offense allegations. His third trial in New York state court over Mann's accusation of rape in a Manhattan hotel room in 2013 ended in a mistrial in May. Weinstein, 74, has pleaded not guilty to the charge and denies assaulting anyone or having non-consensual sex. A representative for Weinstein stated he was relieved by the outcome and believed the charge should never have been brought. The office of Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg noted that testifying before grand juries and trial juries had been an "extraordinarily taxing ordeal" for Mann. The DA's office also requested a 20-year prison sentence for Weinstein's conviction in a separate case involving former production assistant Miriam Haley. Weinstein's 2020 conviction for raping Mann and assaulting Haley was overturned by the state's highest court, which concluded he did not receive a fair trial. He has remained incarcerated since that conviction was overturned due to his conviction in another case. More than 80 women have accused Weinstein of sexual harassment or misconduct, allegations he denies.