A Harvey Weinstein juror says that the potential #MeToo impact played “absolutely zero” in ultimately finding him guilty of third-degree rape and a first-degree criminal sexual act.
Juror No. 9, identified only as Drew, spoke out on “CBS This Morning” Friday, telling Gayle King that it wasn’t their “job” to make that determination.
“It’s not what we were asked to do and it would also — it would be an adulteration of the process to take outside factors and have that weight on our decision-making process and eventual findings,” he said. “You know, I have no appetite or aspirations to be the voice or face of both the jury and the larger movement.”
He concluded, “This case, these people: This is our decision.”
The disgraced Hollywood mogul was handcuffed and immediately taken into custody last week when the jury’s verdict was announced. He could face up to 29 years in prison for the crimes when he is sentenced on March 11. An appeal is expected.
The jury found Weinstein guilty of third-degree rape of Jessica Mann and a criminal sexual act of Miriam Haley (née Mimi Haleyi). However, the panel found him not guilty of two of the most serious charges — predatory sexual assault against Haley, Mann and “Sopranos” actress Annabella Sciorra — and the first-degree rape of Mann.
We're learning exclusive new details about how the jury in the landmark trial of Harvey Weinstein reached this week's decision to convict him of first-degree criminal sexual act and third-degree rape.
Only on @CBSThisMorning: Juror #9 told us it was not a simple decision. pic.twitter.com/kNYtSU4nBk
— CBS Mornings (@CBSMornings) February 28, 2020