The disgraced producer's New York rape and sexual assault trial is expected to last until early March with opening statements are set to be delivered on Wednesday, January 22.
- January 18, 2020
AceShowbiz - Harvey Weinstein's fate in his New York rape and sexual assault trial will lie in the hands of seven male and five female jurors.
Of the 12 people selected to serve on the jury, there are six white men, two white women, one black man, two black women, and one Afro-Latina woman.
Three alternates - a black woman, a Latino woman, and a white man - were also finalised on Friday (January 17) after a lengthy process, which originally began on 7 January and featured model Gigi Hadid among the potential jurors eventually dismissed.
Opening statements are due to be delivered on Wednesday, with the trial expected to last until early March.
The disgraced movie mogul has pleaded not guilty to five felony counts of rape and sexual assault relating to alleged incidents with two separate women in 2006 and 2013. He maintains all sexual contact was consensual.
Weinstein's lawyers are still hoping to have the case moved out of Manhattan after filing a motion with appellate court officials this week. Arguing their case on Thursday, defence attorney Arthur Aidala insisted the 67-year-old's right to a fair trial was at stake due to the intense publicity and the constant presence of protestors blasting Weinstein outside the courthouse, which he claimed had turned the proceedings into a "media and entertainment circus".
A ruling won't be made on the request until 21 January - the day before the trial is due to officially kick off.
If convicted, Weinstein faces life behind bars.
