Harvey Weinstein, the former film mogul once celebrated as a titan of Hollywood, is back in a New York courtroom, facing serious allegations of sexual assault. Jury selection commenced on Tuesday in a lower Manhattan court, where Weinstein is charged with sexually assaulting three different women, marking yet another chapter in his tumultuous legal saga.

On the first day of proceedings, Judge Curtis Farber oversaw the seating of approximately 140 potential jurors. By the end of the day, only around 40 remained, as many individuals expressed doubt about their ability to remain impartial during the trial. Some jurors were excused after revealing personal connections to experiences of sexual abuse. In response, Judge Farber engaged in individual, private questioning to further assess their suitability for the jury.

Throughout the proceedings, Weinstein was present in the courtroom, appearing in a dark suit and maintaining a seemingly calm demeanor. After the judge introduced him, he extended a polite greeting to the jurors, wishing them a good afternoon. At one point, he had a manuscript on his lap, which his attorney, Arthur Aidala, identified as Nobody's Fool by Harlan Coben.

This trial marks Weinstein's third legal battle in just over five years. In February 2020, he was found guilty of two felony sex crimes in New York, followed by another conviction in California two years later on three counts. However, an appellate court overturned his previous New York conviction last year, citing the trial judge's error in permitting the testimony of several witnesses who spoke about uncharged allegations of sexual misconduct. Consequently, Weinstein's 23-year sentence was annulled. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg swiftly announced his intention to retry Weinstein, which was further solidified in September when he revealed a grand jury indictment that included charges not previously presented.

During this trial, jurors are expected to hear from two women who testified against Weinstein in 2020: former actress Jessica Mann and producer Miriam "Mimi" Haley, who was formerly known as Haleyi. Additionally, a new accuser, whose identity remains undisclosed, has come forward claiming that Weinstein forced her to perform oral sex on him in a hotel room back in 2006. Lindsay Goldbrum, an attorney representing this new accuser, emphasized the importance of uncovering the truth, stating, "During the trial, there will be a lot of pundits, commentators, and so-called experts discussing whether or not these acts were consensual, but what matters here are the facts." She expressed confidence that the jury would recognize the non-consensual nature of the acts and ultimately convict Weinstein.

Judge Farber has indicated that the jury selection process could extend over five days. Weinstein has entered a plea of not guilty to all charges. Since the beginning of this legal ordeal, he has been held at Riker's Island, except for multiple hospital visits, including stays at Bellevue Hospital for health complications.

At 73 years old, Weinstein has faced significant health challenges in recent years, including treatment for bone marrow cancer and an emergency heart surgery that he underwent last year. At a recent hearing, he was seen using a wheelchair, yet he appeared alert and engaged, responding to the judge's inquiries and conferring with his legal team when needed.

Despite his ongoing legal battles, Weinstein's reputation remains tarnished. He has been accused of misconduct by dozens of women, resulting in numerous civil lawsuits. Prominent figures in the entertainment industry, including Asia Argento, Rose McGowan, and Ashley Judd, have publicly accused him of leveraging his power and influence to exploit them.

For years, Harvey Weinstein was synonymous with both critical acclaim and box office success, having produced notable films such as Pulp Fiction, Good Will Hunting, Shakespeare in Love, and The English Patient. However, the tide turned dramatically in 2017 when explosive investigative reports from The New York Times and The New Yorker detailed Weinstein's extensive history of alleged sexual misconduct. These revelations led to the emergence of the #MeToo movement, which galvanized public outrage and contributed to Weinstein's professional downfall. Following the allegations, he was dismissed from The Weinstein Company, the production firm he co-founded with his brother, Bob, which subsequently declared bankruptcy.