Harvey Weinstein Trial: Supermodel Gigi Hadid Among Possible Jurors Deciding Rape Charges
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) — Supermodel Gigi Hadid is in the running to be a juror in the Harvey Weinstein rape trial after telling a judge Monday that she thinks she would be able to "keep an open mind on the facts."
The 24-year-old Hadid, who lives in Manhattan, turned heads as part of the latest pool of 120 potential jurors summoned for the case now in its second week in New York.
Hadid disclosed that she has met Weinstein and actress Salma Hayek, a potential witness, but said that she could remain impartial. She was asked to return Thursday for additional questioning.
Surrounded by photographers as she left the courthouse with the juror questionaire, Hadid said: "I'm not allowed to talk about jury duty. I'm sorry."
MORE: Jury Selection Underway In Harvey Weinstein Sex Assault Trial; See The Juror Questionnaire
Weinstein, 67, has pleaded not guilty to accusations of raping a woman in a Manhattan hotel room in 2013 and sexually assaulting another in 2006. He claims any encounters were consensual.
On Monday, Weinstein again entered the courtroom using a walker following the back surgery he had last month.
Hadid was questioned during an initial screening process that has been stymied by a host of challenges and distractions.
They include defense requests for the judge to step aside and for jury selection to be held in secret, both of which were denied, and a noisy protest outside the courthouse.
Both sides hope to deliver opening statements before the end of the month.
If convicted at a trial expected to last into March, Weinstein could face life in prison.
READ: Indictment Harvey Weinstein Document
The former studio boss behind such Oscar winners as "Pulp Fiction" and "Shakespeare in Love" has said any sexual activity was consensual.
About 120 prospective jurors are being summoned to court each day. Last Tuesday, they were introduced as a group to Weinstein and were read a list of names that could come up at trial, including actresses Salma Hayek, Charlize Theron and Rosie Perez.
As his New York trial was getting underway a week ago, Los Angeles prosecutors announced new charges in a separate case against Weinstein. Those charges accuse him of raping one woman and sexually assaulting another woman there on back-to-back nights in 2013, days before he walked the Oscars with his then-wife, fashion designer Georgina Chapman, who was pregnant at the time.
Weinstein has not entered a plea in the Los Angeles case, which will be tried later.
(© Copyright 2020 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
