New York prosecutors seek to drop Harvey Weinstein rape charge | Harvey Weinstein

Manhattan prosecutors moved on Thursday to drop a third-degree rape charge against Harvey Weinstein after the woman who accused him of assaulting her said she did not want to testify at the fourth trial.

Weinstein’s third trial in New York state court for allegedly raping aspiring actress Jessica Mann ended in a mistrial in May after jurors failed to reach a unanimous verdict.

When Mann accused Weinstein of raping her in a Manhattan hotel room in 2013, Mann resisted and repeatedly said “No.”

Weinstein, 74, has pleaded not guilty to third-degree rape and denied assaulting anyone or having sexual intercourse without their consent. A representative said Thursday that Weinstein was relieved by the outcome and believes charges should never have been brought.

Manhattan district attorney Alvin Bragg said Thursday that testifying before two grand juries and three trial juries was an “extraordinarily exhausting ordeal” for Mann and that he did not want to take the stand again.

Bragg’s office also said he is asking the court to sentence Weinstein to 20 years in prison for sexually assaulting one-time production assistant Miriam Haley.

Weinstein was convicted of raping Mann and assaulting Haley at his first trial in New York in 2020, but the state’s highest court overturned the conviction after concluding he did not receive a fair trial.

Weinstein, a former film producer and co-founder of studio Miramax, has remained behind bars since his conviction was overturned in a separate case.

More than 80 women have accused Weinstein of sexual harassment or misconduct, although Weinstein denies the allegations.