They are the first jurors picked after none were chosen on Tuesday. Jury selection will resume Thursday with a fresh group of about 80 prospective jurors to begin the screening process anew. Judge Curtis Farber has said a total of 12 jurors and six alternates will be picked. The prosecution and defense each used seven of their allotted 15 peremptory challenges to reject potential jurors on Wednesday, leaving eight per side.
Two other candidates were removed from consideration by the judge. One had expressed dismay about the justice system and complained that wealthy people avoid culpability for wrongdoing. Weinstein, 73, has pleaded not guilty and denies raping or sexually assaulting anyone.
He leaned back in his wheelchair, peering at prospective jurors as they answered questions that touched on everything from their impressions of MeToo — a movement spawned by scores of allegations in against the ex-studio boss — to what they like to do in their spare time.
Weinstein has been back and forth numerous times to Bellevue in recent months for treatment of various maladies. The Oscar-winning producer has numerous health conditions, including chronic myeloid leukemia, heart issues, diabetes, sleep apnea and sciatica. A recent tongue infection was misdiagnosed at Rikers, requiring that Weinstein be hospitalized, and he has gained nearly 20 pounds 9 kilograms in the past month, his lawyer Imran Ansari said.
Rikers has faced growing scrutiny for its mistreatment of detainees and dangerous conditions. He is being retried on two charges. He is also charged with another count of criminal sex act based on an allegation from a woman who was not a part of the original trial.
