Harvey Weinstein’s latest Manhattan sex crimes trial took another dramatic turn Wednesday when the disgraced former movie mogul complained of chest pains just hours after jurors began deliberating his fate.
According to the New York Post, the health scare interrupted proceedings during the first day of jury discussions, with Manhattan Supreme Court Judge Curtis Farber informing the courtroom that Weinstein was not feeling well while in Department of Corrections custody.
“Mr. Weinstein is in [Department of Corrections] custody and is having chest pains, and he is not feeling well,” the judge said, adding that correction officials did not want to transport him to court.
Weinstein’s attorney, Marc Agnifilo, told the court he learned about the issue from staff members.
The 74-year-old former Miramax boss has repeatedly appeared frail throughout his various court appearances, often arriving in a wheelchair. His ongoing health problems have become a recurring backdrop to the high-profile criminal proceedings surrounding the once-powerful Hollywood producer.
Weinstein was previously diagnosed with cancer while incarcerated on Rikers Island, adding to a growing list of medical issues that have surfaced during his legal battles.
While Weinstein remained absent from the courtroom on Wednesday, jurors continued working through evidence and testimony connected to the retrial.
During deliberations, the panel requested access to the PowerPoint presentation shown during trial, along with a portion of the testimony of accuser Jessica Mann.
Specifically, jurors asked for a page from Mann’s lengthy cross-examination conducted by defense attorney Teny Geragos.
The judge ultimately dismissed jurors early for the day, explaining that the requested materials would instead be provided on Thursday morning.
Farber also revealed he had designated Weinstein for “medical attention” following a private meeting with attorneys behind closed doors.
The latest trial marks yet another chapter in Weinstein’s legal downfall after multiple women accused him of sexual misconduct spanning decades.
The former Hollywood heavyweight has faced several prosecutions in recent years as allegations against him helped ignite the #MeToo movement and reshape conversations about abuse of power in the entertainment industry.
Now, as jurors weigh testimony and evidence in Manhattan, Weinstein’s deteriorating health has once again entered the spotlight alongside the criminal case threatening to keep him behind bars for the rest of his life.
