Weinstein juror: We focused on specific allegations, not ‘behaviors before or after’

February 28, 2020

A juror in Harvey Weinstein’s trial said in a new interview that members of the jury focused “100 percent” on specific allegations against the disgraced movie mogul — not “behaviors before or after” each incident — when convicting him on two counts this week.

In an interview with “CBS This Morning” co-host Gayle King, a juror who asked to only be identified by his first name, Drew, explained how the jury came to find Weinstein guilty of one rape and one criminal sex act count, verdicts that could put him in prison for up to 29 years.

“It was our deduction and interpretation of the law, regardless of behaviors before or after an alleged incident — on this day at this time and that place,” he said. “Can you do that? And the answer for the convictions is no, and that’s a crime.”

Drew emphasized that there was “nothing simple about” the jury’s determination.

He said that they stuck to the requirement that jurors not follow the unfolding news coverage on a case — despite the high-profile nature of the Weinstein trial.

“Definitely didn’t read the paper, the only paper that I read was the crossword puzzle in the morning, you know, on the subway, and stuff like that,” he said.

“It was actually kind of nice,” Drew added. “Challenging, don’t get me wrong.”

Weinstein, 67, was found guilty Monday of criminal sexual act in the first degree for forcibly performing oral sex on former “Project Runway” production assistant Miriam “Mimi” Haleyi and rape in the third degree for an attack on hairstylist Jessica Mann.

But the seven-man, five-woman jury found Weinstein not guilty of the top charges of predatory sexual assault, which carried a life sentence, and rape in the first degree involving Mann.

Harvey Weinstein

Steven Hirsch

On "CBS This Morning," Gayle King spoke to juror number nine.

CBS This Morning

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