Weinstein accuser testifies about alleged rape: 'The more I fought, the angrier he got'
The second accuser central to Harvey Weinstein's criminal trial took the stand Friday, emotionally describing how the disgraced producer allegedly raped her in 2013.
Jessica Mann told jurors Friday she met Weinstein as an aspiring actress and that after a hotel meeting, he forcibly performed oral sex on her.
"He was pushing me back and I was able to turn my body to go, and he still had me by one arm, and that's when he really tightened his grip," she testified, per The Hollywood Reporter. "And the more I fought, the angrier he got."
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Mann testified that after this incident, "I was confused about what happened and I made the decision to be in a relationship with him," saying she felt trapped, the Reporter writes. She went on to say that after a meeting in March 2013, Weinstein angrily ordered her to take off her clothes and raped her. Weinstein allegedly raped her again in November 2013, telling Mann she "owed him one more time."
USA Today writes that Mann's testimony "provoked occasional gasps;" at one point, she said of Weinstein, "He does not have testicles and it appears that he has a vagina."
Weinstein is facing sexual assault and rape charges, to which he has pleaded not guilty, stemming from Mann's allegation and the allegation of another woman who alleges he forcibly performed oral sex on her in 2006; she testified earlier this week. If convicted, Weinstein faces possible life in prison.
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Brendan worked as a culture writer at The Week from 2018 to 2023, covering the entertainment industry, including film reviews, television recaps, awards season, the box office, major movie franchises and Hollywood gossip. He has written about film and television for outlets including Bloody Disgusting, Showbiz Cheat Sheet, Heavy and The Celebrity Cafe.
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