Opening statements are scheduled for Tuesday in Harvey Weinstein's New York rape retrial, marking a significant moment in a case that has been a cornerstone of the #MeToo movement and remains unresolved nearly eight years after the former movie mogul's arrest. This retrial offers the new jury its first look at the case, which has drawn widespread attention due to the high-profile nature of the allegations against Weinstein.

Since he became a major target of the #MeToo movement against sexual misconduct nearly a decade ago, Weinstein has faced multiple legal challenges. He has been convicted of several sexual assault charges in various trials across the United States and has also been acquitted of other charges. However, the rape charge stemming from a 2013 encounter in a Manhattan hotel has lingered, primarily due to an overturned conviction followed by a jury deadlock, prompting the need for this retrial.

Weinstein, who is now a 73-year-old prisoner, maintains his innocence, pleading not guilty and asserting that he never engaged in nonconsensual sex. In court earlier this year, he acknowledged that he had been unfaithful to his then-wife and admitted to having acted wrongly but firmly denied ever assaulting anyone.

The jury for the retrial comprises seven men and five women, a composition that contrasts with Weinstein's last New York jury, which was majority-female. Jury selection took place over several days last week, during which the jurors were questioned about their prior knowledge of Weinstein and their capacity to remain fair and impartial in light of the case's extensive media coverage.

Weinstein was once a powerful figure in Hollywood, renowned as an Academy Award-winning producer and a studio head known for influential films such as "Pulp Fiction," "Shakespeare in Love," and "Gangs of New York." His reputation as a prominent Democratic donor further added to his high-profile persona. However, his career collapsed in 2017 when a wave of allegations regarding his misconduct toward women came to light, leading to criminal charges in New York and Los Angeles.

The current trial features testimony from Jessica Mann, the hairstylist who accused Weinstein of rape. Mann met Weinstein at a party in late 2012 or early 2013, seeking professional connections in the industry. Although she initially engaged in what she described as an ambivalent consensual relationship with Weinstein, both of them ultimately met again in March 2013 when she arranged a breakfast with him during a trip to New York City.

According to Mann, the meeting escalated when Weinstein trapped her in a hotel room, disregarded her protests that she did not want to engage in sexual activity, demanded that she undress, and physically restrained her in a way that left her feeling compelled to comply with his demands in order to escape the situation.

Weinstein's previous legal team argued that Mann continued to see him after the incident, accepting invitations and seeking his assistance for her career, suggesting that the relationship was more complex than coercion. For the retrial, Weinstein has switched legal teams, leaving it uncertain how their strategy may differ from previous defenses. The trial is expected to continue for approximately four weeks, as both sides prepare to present their cases to the jury.