In a stunning turn of events, a New York judge declared a mistrial on a pivotal rape charge against disgraced movie mogul Harvey Weinstein, after one juror refused to continue discussions. This charge stemmed from an alleged attack on actress Jessica Mann in 2013.

The jury had already reached a verdict on Wednesday, convicting Weinstein of sexual assault but acquitting him on another charge, leaving them to deliberate on the final rape allegation. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg announced plans to retry the rape charge, marking Weinstein's third trial in New York.

The mistrial comes on the heels of Weinstein’s previous sex crimes conviction, which was overturned last year, prompting new charges to be filed last September. Jessica Mann, who brought forth the rape claim, expressed her determination, stating, "I am ready, willing and able to endure this as many times as it takes for justice and accountability to be served. Today is not the end of my fight."

Bragg confirmed his office is prepared to move forward promptly with a new trial, clarifying that he had consulted with Mann immediately after the mistrial was declared.

Tensions flared during jury deliberations, which spanned six days. The foreperson notably reported that jurors were "attacking" one another, leading to heated exchanges. On Thursday, fearing potential backlash, the foreperson refused to re-enter the jury room, prompting Judge Curtis Farber to declare the mistrial.

Expressing disappointment, a spokesperson for Weinstein remarked that the team believed the conviction would be "set aside" due to what they termed "gross juror misconduct." They highlighted the long saga: "8 years, dozens of accusers, three trials, one conviction." Weinstein remains resolute in his fight to clear his name.

The now-overturned previous conviction resulted from an appeals court ruling that Weinstein did not receive a fair trial in 2020, where testimony from other accusers improperly influenced jurors.

In this most recent trial, the jury convicted Weinstein of assaulting one woman while acquitting him of charges involving another, amid accusations that jurors were swayed by factors outside the evidence presented. Notably, the foreperson indicated discussions were influenced by Weinstein's broader history.

While Weinstein battles serious health issues, remaining in Bellevue Hospital rather than jail, one thing is clear: the saga of one of Hollywood's most notorious figures is far from over. As numerous women continue to hold him accountable, the legal battles highlight the complexities and ongoing challenges in achieving justice.

Weinstein, who co-founded the influential Miramax studio, faces a grim future: with over 100 accusations against him, it's likely that he may spend the rest of his life behind bars.