• Harvey Weinstein is back in court for a retrial after his 2020 conviction was overturned.
• New charges have been added, bringing together multiple alleged victims.
• Weinstein has pleaded not guilty and maintains that all encounters were consensual.
• The trial will test the ongoing legal implications of the #MeToo movement.
• He faces a potential lengthy imprisonment even if acquitted in this trial.

Harvey Weinstein is on trial in a Manhattan courtroom, facing allegations of sex crimes as jury selection begins. This trial marks Weinstein's third legal battle since his initial conviction in 2020, which was subsequently overturned by New York's highest court due to "egregious errors" made by the trial judge, notably the admission of testimony from women whose allegations were unrelated to the charges at hand, according to NPR.

Weinstein, 73, is charged with one count of rape and two counts of criminal sexual acts, as he contends the charges and allegations against him are unfounded. Two of the alleged victims, including former production assistant Miriam Haley and aspiring actress Jessica Mann, are expected to testify alongside a new accuser who alleges that Weinstein coerced her into sexual acts in 2006, reports The New York Times.

The retrial's significance is underscored by the #MeToo movement, which emerged in the wake of accusations against Weinstein that inspired many to speak out about sexual misconduct by powerful figures. Judge Curtis Farber has emphasized that jury selection could extend over a five-day period as he aims to ensure that jurors can objectively evaluate the evidence presented, according to ABC News.

Throughout his time awaiting trial at Rikers Island, Weinstein has faced several health challenges, including bone marrow cancer treatment and a recent emergency heart surgery, which have drawn attention to the conditions of his incarceration. His defense team has previously criticized the medical care he has received while imprisoned, as detailed in Reuters.

In light of the changed political climate, Weinstein's legal team has expressed hope that the outcome in this retrial may differ from the summary of his first trial. They are also facing a significant burden of proof in a climate where public sentiment towards sexual misconduct cases remains acute and sensitive, according to The Hill.