Weinstein trial: Mann didn’t tell beau about alleged rape
NEW YORK – After two days of intense cross-examination and emotional testimony from accuser Jessica Mann in the Harvey Weinstein sexcrimes trial, she returned to the stand Tuesday to face more questioning about why she didn’t tell her boyfriend about an alleged rape and why she continued to consider the movie mogul a “friend.”
Why, she was asked, did she not tell her boyfriend, whom she has identified as “Eddie,” about what she says happened to her in a New York hotel room in 2013? Weinstein is charged with raping her in that hotel room.
“Jessica, you had multiple chances here to tell Eddie that Harvey was a bad guy. Why didn’t you?,” asked defense lawyer Donna Rotunno. “I couldn’t talk to Eddie.”
“He was your boyfriend,” Rotunno said. “It wasn’t a healthy relationship, partly because he didn’t approve of your relationship with Harvey?” “He felt I was stupid.”
At one point, Mann began crying again as Rotunno asked about multiple emails exchanged between Mann and Weinstein for years after the alleged rape, in which they both wrote friendly, even loving things to and about one another.
“I know about the emails with Harvey, and that’s why I’m still here. I know it’s complicated and difficult, but that doesn’t change the fact that he raped me,” Mann said.
“I’m not looking for an excuse ... I own my behavior.”
Rotunno also asked her about multiple emails she sent to an online selfhelp platform called Relationship Reinvented, in which Mann described having drinks or dinner with Weinstein and having a friendly relationship with him after their New York encounter.
“The friendship we had makes me want to catch up with him and see what’s going on,” she wrote in one message.
In another message she describes going to dinner with him. “I’m glad I did, because I talked to him about all I was going through. … He gave me good advice. … He has always extended his hand to help,” the message said.
“You didn’t tell Relationship Reinvented that Harvey Weinstein raped you in a New York hotel?” Rotunno asked.
“I was vague … the only answer I gave them about sexual assault was ‘in my community,’ “meaning Hollywood at the time, she said.
“After breakups, the person who you decided to reach out to was the person you say sexually assaulted you?” Rotunno asked.
“Yes.”
In February 2015, two years after the alleged rape, she asked Weinstein for a referral for membership to Soho House, the members-only club and hotel. Weinstein responded, “Of course.”
“You want the gentlemen and ladies of this jury to know that the man you asked to sponsor you was your rapist?,” Rotunno asked.
“I do want the jury to know he is my rapist, and I want to continue to explain the dynamic,” Mann responded.
Weinstein, 67, is charged with five sex crimes, including rape and assault. He has pleaded not guilty and denies all allegations of nonconsensual sex.