Lawyers for Harvey Weinstein are expected to call the former agent of accuser Jessica Mann to testify on Tuesday in the ex-producer`s rape case as the weeks-long trial nears a close. 
 
Weinstein, 67, has pleaded not guilty to raping Mann and to sexually assaulting former production assistant Mimi Haleyi. 
 
Mann accused Weinstein of raping her in a Manhattan hotel in 2013. She previously testified that the rape occurred in the course of an “extremely degrading” relationship with Weinstein that lasted for years. 
 
Thomas Richards, a former friend and agent of Mann, a onetime aspiring actress, is expected to take the stand on Tuesday. 
 
On Monday, Mann`s former friend Talita Maia, a Brazilian-born actress, testified that Mann did not show any distress after the alleged attack. Mann has said Richards was also with her in New York at the time.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/harvey-weinstein-rape-trial-opens-with-clashing-portrayals-of-ex-hollywood-producer-276019">Rape or consensual? Harvey Weinstein rape trial opens with clashing portrayals of the producer</a> 
 
Other defence witnesses could include Denise Doyle, a former Weinstein employee, and Kevin Wilson, a former Manhattan prosecutor who previously worked on the case. 
 
The trial is a key moment in the #MeToo movement in which women have accused powerful men in business, entertainment, media and politics of sexual misconduct. 
 
Since 2017, more than 80 women have accused Weinstein of sexual misconduct. 
 
The former producer, who was behind films including “The English Patient” and “Shakespeare in Love,” has denied any nonconsensual sex. 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hollywood-news-harvey-weinstein-trial-new-york-jurors-shown-naked-photos-of-former-producer-278653">Weinstein faces life in prison if convicted </a>of predatory sexual assault, the most serious charge against him. 
 
Prosecutors rested their case on Thursday after jurors heard testimony from six women accusing Weinstein of sexual assault, including Mann, Haleyi and actress Annabella Sciorra, who said Weinstein raped her in her home in the early 1990s. 
 
Weinstein`s lawyers have sought to undercut the women`s` testimony by highlighting friendly communications the accusers had with Weinstein after the alleged assaults.

They began their case on Friday by calling Paul Feldsher, a onetime friend of Sciorra who said she told him about a sexual encounter with Weinstein but did not say it was rape. 
 
On Friday, jurors heard from Elizabeth Loftus, a professor at the University of California, Irvine and well-known expert on memory who testified that memories could be distorted over time. 
 
The jury is likely to begin considering a verdict next week.

Lawyers for Harvey Weinstein are expected to call the former agent of accuser Jessica Mann to testify on Tuesday in the ex-producer`s rape case as the weeks-long trial nears a close.

Lawyers for Harvey Weinstein are expected to call the former agent of accuser Jessica Mann to testify on Tuesday in the ex-producer`s rape case as the weeks-long trial nears a close. Weinstein, 67, has pleaded not guilty to raping Mann and to sexually assaulting former production assistant Mimi Haleyi. Mann accused Weinstein of raping her in a Manhattan hotel in 2013. She previously testified that the rape occurred in the course of an “extremely degrading” relationship with Weinstein that lasted for years. Thomas Richards, a former friend and agent of Mann, a onetime aspiring actress, is expected to take the stand on Tuesday. On Monday, Mann`s former friend Talita Maia, a Brazilian-born actress, testified that Mann did not show any distress after the alleged attack. Mann has said Richards was also with her in New York at the time. Rape or consensual? Harvey Weinstein rape trial opens with clashing portrayals of the producer Other defence witnesses could include Denise Doyle, a former Weinstein employee, and Kevin Wilson, a former Manhattan prosecutor who previously worked on the case. The trial is a key moment in the #MeToo movement in which women have accused powerful men in business, entertainment, media and politics of sexual misconduct. Since 2017, more than 80 women have accused Weinstein of sexual misconduct. The former producer, who was behind films including “The English Patient” and “Shakespeare in Love,” has denied any nonconsensual sex. Weinstein faces life in prison if convicted of predatory sexual assault, the most serious charge against him. Prosecutors rested their case on Thursday after jurors heard testimony from six women accusing Weinstein of sexual assault, including Mann, Haleyi and actress Annabella Sciorra, who said Weinstein raped her in her home in the early 1990s. Weinstein`s lawyers have sought to undercut the women`s` testimony by highlighting friendly communications the accusers had with Weinstein after the alleged assaults. They began their case on Friday by calling Paul Feldsher, a onetime friend of Sciorra who said she told him about a sexual encounter with Weinstein but did not say it was rape. On Friday, jurors heard from Elizabeth Loftus, a professor at the University of California, Irvine and well-known expert on memory who testified that memories could be distorted over time. The jury is likely to begin considering a verdict next week.

Harvey Weinstein accuser's agent expected to testify in New York rape trial

Harvey Weinstein has now asked a New York state appeals court to delay his rape trial. He also wants it to be moved out of Manhattan.

The former media mogul is currently undergoing trial for alleged rape, levied by more than one woman. This news comes a day before the final phase of jury selection is scheduled to begin.&nbsp;

A new plea was filed by Harvey Weinstein with the Appellate Division as one of his lawyers, Arthur Aidala, said the trial should be moved because "the current venue has devolved into a carnival-like atmosphere that no potential juror can avoid." He told in his filing that the atmosphere in the city had become toxic owing to heavy press coverage on the case, the ongoing protests outside the courthouse. What adds to Harvey Weinstein’s worry is the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/gigi-hadid-among-potential-jurors-in-the-harvey-weinstein-rape-trial-274212">recent appearance of supermodel Gigi Hadid </a>who was called as a potential juror.&nbsp;

His lawyer, Arthur Aidala further said that out of 142 potential jurors who had filled out written questionnaires, 130 said they had heard of the case before. A judge on the case <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/judge-excuses-dozens-of-new-yorkers-from-serving-on-harvey-weinstein-rape-trial-jury-273075">excused&nbsp;dozens of New Yorkers from serving on Harvey Weinstein rape trial jury</a> after&nbsp;most said that&nbsp;they could not be impartial in the case.<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/the-harvey-weinstein-40-years-journey-from-the-studio-to-the-courtroom-272139"> Also read:&nbsp;The Harvey Weinstein 40 years Journey: From the studio to the courtroom</a>

This is not the first time when Harvey Weinstein has asked the appellate court to move the trial. He had once done on the grounds that media attention would prevent him from getting a fair trial in Manhattan. The court had then rejected the same in October. <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/harvey-weinstein-charged-with-rape-in-la-could-face-up-to-28-years-in-prison-272659">Also read:&nbsp;Harvey Weinstein charged with rape in LA; could face up to 28 years in prison</a>

Harvey had also earlier this month, the day after jury selection began on the rape trial, filed a motion for Justice James Burke to remove himself from the case. He accused the justice of bias but the judge denied that motion.

Meanwhile, Harvey Weinstein has pleaded not guilty to charges of assaulting two women, and faces life in prison if convicted on the most serious charge, predatory sexual assault. More than 80 women have accused Harvey of various degrees of sexual assault. Harvey has denied them all saying that any sexual encounter was consensual. As the rape trial began, he was accused of<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/harvey-weinstein-accused-of-sexually-assaulting-model-in-new-case-269297">&nbsp;sexually assaulting model in new case.&nbsp;</a>

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/harvey-weinstein-to-martin-scorsese-host-ricky-gervais-spares-no-one-at-golden-globes-272469">Also read:&nbsp;Harvey Weinstein to Martin Scorsese, host Ricky Gervais spares no one at Golden Globes</a>

Harvey Weinstein has now asked a New York state appeals court to delay his rape trial. He also wants it to be moved out of Manhattan. The former media mogul is currently undergoing trial for alleged rape, levied by more than one woman.

Harvey Weinstein has now asked a New York state appeals court to delay his rape trial. He also wants it to be moved out of Manhattan. The former media mogul is currently undergoing trial for alleged rape, levied by more than one woman. This news comes a day before the final phase of jury selection is scheduled to begin. A new plea was filed by Harvey Weinstein with the Appellate Division as one of his lawyers, Arthur Aidala, said the trial should be moved because "the current venue has devolved into a carnival-like atmosphere that no potential juror can avoid." He told in his filing that the atmosphere in the city had become toxic owing to heavy press coverage on the case, the ongoing protests outside the courthouse. What adds to Harvey Weinstein’s worry is the recent appearance of supermodel Gigi Hadid who was called as a potential juror. His lawyer, Arthur Aidala further said that out of 142 potential jurors who had filled out written questionnaires, 130 said they had heard of the case before. A judge on the case excused dozens of New Yorkers from serving on Harvey Weinstein rape trial jury after most said that they could not be impartial in the case. Also read: The Harvey Weinstein 40 years Journey: From the studio to the courtroom This is not the first time when Harvey Weinstein has asked the appellate court to move the trial. He had once done on the grounds that media attention would prevent him from getting a fair trial in Manhattan. The court had then rejected the same in October. Also read: Harvey Weinstein charged with rape in LA; could face up to 28 years in prison Harvey had also earlier this month, the day after jury selection began on the rape trial, filed a motion for Justice James Burke to remove himself from the case. He accused the justice of bias but the judge denied that motion. Meanwhile, Harvey Weinstein has pleaded not guilty to charges of assaulting two women, and faces life in prison if convicted on the most serious charge, predatory sexual assault. More than 80 women have accused Harvey of various degrees of sexual assault. Harvey has denied them all saying that any sexual encounter was consensual. As the rape trial began, he was accused of sexually assaulting model in new case. Also read: Harvey Weinstein to Martin Scorsese, host Ricky Gervais spares no one at Golden Globes

Harvey Weinstein urges court to delay rape trial, move it out of Manhattan

A forensic psychiatrist is due to testify at ex-Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein's Manhattan rape trial on Friday, explaining why some sexual assault victims do not report attacks or avoid their abusers.

Harvey Weinstein, 67, has pleaded not guilty to sexually assaulting two women, Mimi Haleyi and Jessica Mann. Since 2017, more than 80 women, including many famous actresses, have accused Weinstein of sexual misconduct, fueling the #MeToo movement.

Weinstein has denied any nonconsensual sex.

The trial is widely seen as a watershed moment for the #MeToo movement, in which women have gone public with allegations against powerful men in business and politics.

Prosecutors said in court papers that psychiatrist Barbara Ziv, who teaches at Temple University, will seek to dispel "myths" that sexual assault victims "promptly report the abuse, shun the abuser and exhibit obvious signs of psychological harm."

Defense attorneys said on Wednesday during opening statements that emails from the accusers to Weinstein would show they maintained warm relations, which could undermine a case that appears to rely primarily on the testimony of the accusers.

On Thursday, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/actress-annabella-sciorra-testifies-she-tried-to-fight-harvey-weinstein-during-alleged-rape-276237">actress Annabella Sciorra testified that Weinstein violently raped her </a>in her home in the early 1990s and went on to harass her for years.

Sciorra's allegation is too old to be charged as a separate crime, but prosecutors hope it will show that Weinstein was a repeat sexual predator, a charge that could put him in prison for life.

Donna Rotunno, one of Weinstein's lawyers, grilled Sciorra on Wednesday about whether she had reported the alleged rape to authorities or sought medical help.

Sciorra acknowledged that she had not.

“At the time, I didn’t understand that it was rape,” she said.

Sciorra told jurors that she became depressed after the encounter, drinking heavily and even cutting herself. She cried on the stand as she told of how she was unable to tell her family what had happened.

Ziv will testify about rape trauma generally and will not offer any opinions directly related to Weinstein or his accusers, prosecutors said.

Ziv testified as an expert for prosecutors in the rape trial of comedian Bill Cosby, who was sentenced to three to 10 years in prison in 2018.

At the end of Thursday's proceedings, prosecutors said they wanted to call actress Rosie Perez to testify that Sciorra told her about the alleged attack, a request the defense opposed. James Burke, the judge presiding over the case, said he would rule on the issue "soon enough."

A forensic psychiatrist is due to testify at ex-Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein's Manhattan rape trial on Friday, explaining why some sexual assault victims do not report attacks or avoid their abusers.

A forensic psychiatrist is due to testify at ex-Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein's Manhattan rape trial on Friday, explaining why some sexual assault victims do not report attacks or avoid their abusers. Harvey Weinstein, 67, has pleaded not guilty to sexually assaulting two women, Mimi Haleyi and Jessica Mann. Since 2017, more than 80 women, including many famous actresses, have accused Weinstein of sexual misconduct, fueling the #MeToo movement. Weinstein has denied any nonconsensual sex. The trial is widely seen as a watershed moment for the #MeToo movement, in which women have gone public with allegations against powerful men in business and politics. Prosecutors said in court papers that psychiatrist Barbara Ziv, who teaches at Temple University, will seek to dispel "myths" that sexual assault victims "promptly report the abuse, shun the abuser and exhibit obvious signs of psychological harm." Defense attorneys said on Wednesday during opening statements that emails from the accusers to Weinstein would show they maintained warm relations, which could undermine a case that appears to rely primarily on the testimony of the accusers. On Thursday, actress Annabella Sciorra testified that Weinstein violently raped her in her home in the early 1990s and went on to harass her for years. Sciorra's allegation is too old to be charged as a separate crime, but prosecutors hope it will show that Weinstein was a repeat sexual predator, a charge that could put him in prison for life. Donna Rotunno, one of Weinstein's lawyers, grilled Sciorra on Wednesday about whether she had reported the alleged rape to authorities or sought medical help. Sciorra acknowledged that she had not. “At the time, I didn’t understand that it was rape,” she said. Sciorra told jurors that she became depressed after the encounter, drinking heavily and even cutting herself. She cried on the stand as she told of how she was unable to tell her family what had happened. Ziv will testify about rape trauma generally and will not offer any opinions directly related to Weinstein or his accusers, prosecutors said. Ziv testified as an expert for prosecutors in the rape trial of comedian Bill Cosby, who was sentenced to three to 10 years in prison in 2018. At the end of Thursday's proceedings, prosecutors said they wanted to call actress Rosie Perez to testify that Sciorra told her about the alleged attack, a request the defense opposed. James Burke, the judge presiding over the case, said he would rule on the issue "soon enough."

Psychiatrist to testify in Harvey Weinstein trial as expert on sexual assault trauma

Harvey Weinstein's high-profile sex crimes trial opens on Monday, more than two years after the scandal&nbsp;triggered the #MeToo movement that led to the downfall of dozens of powerful men. 
 
The disgraced movie mogul faces life in prison if convicted of predatory sexual assault charges by a New York state court, in what is expected to be a six-week trial. 
 
Almost 90 women, including Angelina Jolie and Gwyneth Paltrow, have accused the 67-year-old of sexual misconduct since The New York Times detailed allegations against him in October 2017. 
 
But Weinstein, once one of Hollywood's powerful people, is being tried on charges related to just two women, highlighting the difficulty of building cases&nbsp;around incidents going back years. 
 
Former production assistant Mimi Haleyi alleges that&nbsp;the "Pulp Fiction" producer forcibly performed oral sex on her in his New York apartment in July 2006. 
 
The second alleged victim is anonymous. She says Weinstein, the co-founder of Miramax Films, raped her in a New York hotel room in March 2013. 
 
The indictment was amended in August to include testimony from "The Sopranos" actress Annabella Sciorra as the prosecution seeks to convince the jury that Weinstein engaged in a pattern of predatory sexual behavior. 
 
A conviction would&nbsp;signal a watershed moment for the #MeToo movement in the fight against sexual harassment and abuse of power in Hollywood and beyond. 
 
Since the movement emerged from a deluge of allegations against Weinstein, almost all men felled from their positions, be it in the world of entertainment or business, have escaped prosecution. 
 
The only other trial on the horizon is that of R&amp;B singer R&nbsp;Kelly, who was charged last year with several assaults on young women, but allegations of sexual impropriety have dogged him for years. 
 
American comedian Bill Cosby was sentenced to at least three years in prison in September 2018, although proceedings had started in late 2015, two years before the post-Weinstein surge of allegations. 
 
- Unlikely to testify - 
 
"It's a&nbsp;case&nbsp;that&nbsp;will be&nbsp;covered&nbsp;all (over) the world," lawyer Gloria Allred, who represents Haleyi and Sciorra, told AFP. 
 
Justice James Burke dismissed attempts by the defense to block Sciorra, who says Weinstein raped her in the winter of 1993-94, from giving evidence as a corroborating witness. 
 
The prosecution will summon three other alleged victims, including one who says she was raped by Weinstein in California in 2013. The other two allegations are unknown at this stage. 
 
Weinstein himself is unlikely to testify. 
 
His defense team has been trying to undermine the allegations of the two accusers on the charge sheet since long before the start of the trial. 
 
They have produced emails and text messages which they say show that both remained in friendly contact with the accused for several months after the alleged events. 
 
Known for his impatience and quick temper, Weinstein changed lawyers several times before settling on Donna Rotunno, a Chicago attorney who has successfully defended dozens of men accused of sexual assault and harassment. 
 
She has said that her client will be exonerated. 
 
Weinstein has always maintained that his sexual relationships were consensual but has apologized for behavior that he concedes "has caused a lot of pain." 
 
He sparked an outcry just weeks before the trial by appearing indignant in an interview with the New York Post tabloid when he moaned that he should be recognized for "pioneering" women-led films. 
 
"The jurors and the judge are supposed to ignore this. But we know very well that it is impossible," Joseph Cabosky, a strategic communications professor at the University of North Carolina, told AFP.

Harvey Weinstein's high-profile sex crimes trial opens on Monday, more than two years after the scandal triggered the #MeToo movement that led to the downfall of dozens of powerful men.

Harvey Weinstein's high-profile sex crimes trial opens on Monday, more than two years after the scandal triggered the #MeToo movement that led to the downfall of dozens of powerful men. The disgraced movie mogul faces life in prison if convicted of predatory sexual assault charges by a New York state court, in what is expected to be a six-week trial. Almost 90 women, including Angelina Jolie and Gwyneth Paltrow, have accused the 67-year-old of sexual misconduct since The New York Times detailed allegations against him in October 2017. But Weinstein, once one of Hollywood's powerful people, is being tried on charges related to just two women, highlighting the difficulty of building cases around incidents going back years. Former production assistant Mimi Haleyi alleges that the "Pulp Fiction" producer forcibly performed oral sex on her in his New York apartment in July 2006. The second alleged victim is anonymous. She says Weinstein, the co-founder of Miramax Films, raped her in a New York hotel room in March 2013. The indictment was amended in August to include testimony from "The Sopranos" actress Annabella Sciorra as the prosecution seeks to convince the jury that Weinstein engaged in a pattern of predatory sexual behavior. A conviction would signal a watershed moment for the #MeToo movement in the fight against sexual harassment and abuse of power in Hollywood and beyond. Since the movement emerged from a deluge of allegations against Weinstein, almost all men felled from their positions, be it in the world of entertainment or business, have escaped prosecution. The only other trial on the horizon is that of R&B singer R Kelly, who was charged last year with several assaults on young women, but allegations of sexual impropriety have dogged him for years. American comedian Bill Cosby was sentenced to at least three years in prison in September 2018, although proceedings had started in late 2015, two years before the post-Weinstein surge of allegations. - Unlikely to testify - "It's a case that will be covered all (over) the world," lawyer Gloria Allred, who represents Haleyi and Sciorra, told AFP. Justice James Burke dismissed attempts by the defense to block Sciorra, who says Weinstein raped her in the winter of 1993-94, from giving evidence as a corroborating witness. The prosecution will summon three other alleged victims, including one who says she was raped by Weinstein in California in 2013. The other two allegations are unknown at this stage. Weinstein himself is unlikely to testify. His defense team has been trying to undermine the allegations of the two accusers on the charge sheet since long before the start of the trial. They have produced emails and text messages which they say show that both remained in friendly contact with the accused for several months after the alleged events. Known for his impatience and quick temper, Weinstein changed lawyers several times before settling on Donna Rotunno, a Chicago attorney who has successfully defended dozens of men accused of sexual assault and harassment. She has said that her client will be exonerated. Weinstein has always maintained that his sexual relationships were consensual but has apologized for behavior that he concedes "has caused a lot of pain." He sparked an outcry just weeks before the trial by appearing indignant in an interview with the New York Post tabloid when he moaned that he should be recognized for "pioneering" women-led films. "The jurors and the judge are supposed to ignore this. But we know very well that it is impossible," Joseph Cabosky, a strategic communications professor at the University of North Carolina, told AFP.

Harvey Weinstein faces justice two years after scandal erupted