NEW YORK — A key witness in Harvey Weinstein’s ongoing rape case delivered emotional testimony Tuesday, marking her third time recounting allegations against the disgraced Hollywood producer before a Manhattan jury.
Jessica Mann, a 40-year-old hairstylist and actor, broke down in tears as she described being trapped and assaulted in a New York hotel room in 2013. “I said ‘no’ over and over, and I tried to leave,” Mann testified through sobs. “He just treated me like he owned me.”
This marks six years since Mann first shared her story with jurors about what she describes as a relationship that started consensually but turned into sexual assault. The former movie mogul, who became synonymous with the #MeToo movement, sat quietly in court, occasionally drinking water as Mann recounted the alleged attack.
The 73-year-old Weinstein, currently serving time in prison, maintains his innocence and continues appealing sexual assault convictions from cases involving other accusers across the country. His legal team, which has not yet cross-examined Mann in this retrial, contends all interactions were consensual.
Weinstein’s legal troubles with Mann’s case have been extensive. A 2020 conviction for raping Mann was later overturned on appeal, and a subsequent retrial ended with a hung jury last year.
Court observers noted the jury’s focused attention as Mann provided her second day of testimony, with several jurors taking notes throughout her emotional account. Despite offers for breaks during particularly difficult moments, Mann chose to continue.
According to Mann’s testimony, she first encountered Weinstein at a Los Angeles party in early 2013 while pursuing acting opportunities. The producer showed interest in advancing her career, leading to meetings that mixed professional guidance with invitations to industry events and unwanted advances that made her uncomfortable.
Despite initial distress, Mann testified she eventually entered into what she believed was a consensual relationship with the married producer. She explained her reasoning Tuesday, saying she had been conditioned to think “this is just normal for men to kind of be that way, and I just thought that maybe by being in a relationship with him, it would make me feel better.”
Mann described Weinstein’s behavior as unpredictable, sometimes charming and validating, other times demeaning through inappropriate sexual discussions. She testified that when challenged or refused, “it was just like this monster side came out” of someone who wielded his Hollywood power aggressively.
The alleged assault occurred when Weinstein unexpectedly appeared before a planned breakfast meeting in New York, where Mann was visiting during a friend’s business trip. Despite Mann’s objections at the hotel front desk, Weinstein secured a room, according to both her testimony and a former hotel worker who testified earlier.
Mann recounted that after Weinstein angrily told her not to embarrass him, she followed him to the room hoping to resolve the situation privately. Instead, she testified, “he wasn’t listening to me; he was just telling me to undress.” She said she pleaded “Please don’t. I don’t want to,” and attempted to leave twice, but the physically larger Weinstein slammed the door, restrained her wrists, and held them crossed over her face.
“That was really scary, so I remember just like kind of like — just shutting down and giving up, because I had been fighting and arguing. So I obeyed,” Mann testified, describing how she undressed and lay on the bed before Weinstein allegedly raped her.
Following the alleged assault, Mann testified she accompanied Weinstein to breakfast with friends, appearing normal despite feeling shocked internally. She told no one about the incident at the time and accepted Weinstein’s invitation to extend her stay, attend a movie screening, and have tea with him and his daughter.
“I just wanted everyone to act like everything was normal,” she explained to the court.
The Associated Press typically does not identify individuals who report sexual assault unless they consent to being named publicly, as Mann has chosen to do.
