She does her duty as a citizen. Drawn by lot, top model Gigi Hadid appeared on Monday as a potential juror at the sexual assault trial of film producer Harvey Weinstein. The podium star was in Manhattan court Monday morning, among a new contingent of potential jurors who have succeeded each other for a week. Twelve jurors and six alternates must be selected by next week for this emblematic trial of the #MeToo movement.
The 24-year-old model, star of the podiums around the world, again in December in Paris for a Chanel show, raised her hand when judge James Burke asked if any of the 120 potential jurors summoned on Monday knew any of Harvey Weinstein. "I met the accused," said the model, before indicating that she also knew other personalities whose names could be mentioned during the trial, such as Salma Hayek, who accused Harvey Weinstein of sexual harassment.
"I think I can keep an open mind"
When the judge asked her if she could still try the case impartially, Gigi Hadid replied in the affirmative. "I still think I can keep an open mind about the facts," she replied. She will therefore be one of the potential jurors called to return next Thursday, for further selection.
It nevertheless seems unlikely that this social media star, followed by more than 51 million people on Instagram, will be retained among the jurors: the defense of Harvey Weinstein will no doubt ask to be dismissed because of his links with figures from the MeToo movement.
Harvey Weinstein, 67, a former all-powerful Hollywood producer, has been accused of harassment or sexual assault by more than 80 women, including celebrities like Ashley Judd, Gwyneth Paltrow and Léa Seydoux. However, he will only be tried in New York in two cases, rape and sexual assault, most of the alleged facts being time-barred.
The media coverage of this case makes jury selection difficult: more than 500 potential jurors have already been summoned for this trial scheduled to last until the beginning of March. Many have already asked for an apology, saying they are unable to judge the facts objectively.
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VIDEO. New York judge Harvey Weinstein charged with two sexual assaults in Los Angeles
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- People