Model Gigi Hadid may be appointed as a jury member in the trial against film producer Harvey Weinstein, who is accused of sexual abuse by more than 80 women. Last week a lawsuit in New York started in which he was charged with two cases. Hadid belongs to a group of around 120 New Yorkers who are eligible for a place in the public jury. The Hollywood Reporter reports that on Monday.
Hadid stated to Judge James Burke that she could act as an objective judge despite the fact that she met Weinstein once and also had contact with actress Salma Hayek; one of his alleged victims.
“I think I am able to form a good picture based on the facts,” Hadid said. Several potential jury members have already been rejected because they indicated that they could not pass an impartial judgment. Others have been relieved of their duty to be judged due to, for example, health reasons that stand in the way of the process that may take two months. Those who have not yet been sent back to the court on Thursday for the continuation of the selection procedure.
Judge Burke said that some of the jury members had already raised the case against Weinstein on social media while he had forbidden them. “That can be seen as a disdain for the court.” On it are possible penalties of up to 30 days in prison and a hefty fine. “So: don’t!”, The judge said.
Gigi Hadid is the daughter of Mohamed Hadid. He was married from 1994 to 2000 to the Dutch Yolanda Hadid. Together they had three children, all of whom are models: Gigi, Bella and Anwar.
