Harvey Weinstein has enlisted the legal representation of Luigi Mangione and attorneys associated with Sean “Diddy” Combs for his upcoming third New York rape trial. This decision follows his refusal to resolve the matter through a guilty plea, prompting a reshuffling of his legal team.
The new legal team consisting of Jacob Kaplan, Marc Agnifilo, and Teny Geragos has been officially confirmed in court documents. They have taken over from Weinstein’s previous attorney, Arthur Aidala, who has stepped back from the courtroom proceedings to focus on Weinstein’s appeals and other pending legal issues.
Kaplan, a member of Weinstein’s original defense team in 2018, is anticipated to play a significant role in the upcoming trial. This trial centers on an allegation that Weinstein sexually assaulted hairstylist and actress Jessica Mann at a Manhattan hotel in 2013.
During a recent hearing, Weinstein maintained his innocence, stating that he had never assaulted anyone and expressing emotional distress after spending nearly six years in custody.
The trial, initially scheduled to commence on March 3, has been postponed without a new date set. Weinstein is expected to appear in court on March 4 for a status update. The legal publication Law360 first reported the changes in Weinstein’s legal representation.
Kaplan and Agnifilo are also representing Mangione in separate state and federal cases related to the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. They have achieved notable successes in these cases, including the dismissal of terrorism charges in the state trial and the exclusion of the death penalty in the federal trial.
Agnifilo and Geragos, known for their defense of Combs in previous legal battles, are currently involved in representing the Alexander brothers in a sex trafficking trial in Manhattan federal court. All three attorneys, Kaplan, Agnifilo, and Geragos, are partners at the law firm Agnifilo Intrater.
A spokesperson for Weinstein, Juda Engelmayer, stated that Weinstein believes a fresh perspective and strategic approach are crucial after undergoing two prior trials. In the previous trial, Weinstein was convicted of one charge involving Miriam Haley but acquitted of another involving Kaja Sokola. The jury did not reach a decision on the rape charge related to Jessica Mann.
The third trial will be overseen by Judge Curtis Farber, who rejected claims of unfairness in the previous trial. Weinstein and his legal team have raised concerns about the jury deliberation process and intend to continue their vigorous advocacy in the appellate courts.
Weinstein, currently serving time for a first-degree criminal sex act conviction, could face up to 25 years in prison. The unresolved third-degree rape charge carries a maximum penalty of four years, which is less than the time he has already served. Additionally, Weinstein is also dealing with a separate legal case in California that is under appeal.