Potential Weinstein Juror: Gigi Hadid

Supermodel shows up for screening, says she could be impartial
By Newser Editors and Wire Services
Posted Jan 13, 2020 6:15 PM CST
Potential Weinstein Juror: Gigi Hadid
In this photo taken from video, super model Gigi Hadid walks out of a Manhattan court, Monday, Jan. 13, 2020, in New York.   (AP Photo/Ted Shaffrey)

Supermodel Gigi Hadid is in the running to be a juror in Harvey Weinstein’s rape trial after telling a judge Monday that she thinks she would be able to “keep an open mind on the facts.” Hadid, who lives in Manhattan, turned heads as part of the latest pool of 120 potential jurors summoned for the case, the AP reports. Hadid, 27, 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, Hadid said: “I’m not allowed to talk about jury duty. I’m sorry.” Hadid was questioned during an initial screening process, now on its fifth day, that has been stymied by a host of challenges and distractions. Weinstein, 67, is accused of raping a woman in a Manhattan hotel room in 2013 and sexually assaulting another in 2006.

Those challenges 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. 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.

(More Harvey Weinstein stories.)

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