Manhattan Assistant District Attorney Candace White told jurors during opening statements on Tuesday that the case would hinge on “power, control and manipulation,” alleging that Weinstein used his influence in the entertainment industry to exploit the complainant.

Defense attorney Jacob Kaplan countered that the case was about “consent, choice and regret,” maintaining Weinstein’s longstanding position that the encounter in question was consensual.The retrial focuses on a single rape charge tied to an alleged 2013 incident involving Jessica Mann in a Manhattan hotel room. The case remains unresolved after a prior conviction was overturned and a subsequent trial ended in a jury deadlock.

Prosecutors allege that Weinstein ignored Mann’s objections, demanded she undress and restrained her during the encounter. Mann has testified previously that she complied out of fear and a desire to leave the situation.

The defense is expected to highlight the continued contact between the two following the alleged incident, including messages and meetings that they argue reflect a consensual relationship.

Weinstein, 73, has pleaded not guilty and has denied all allegations of sexual assault, stating earlier this year that while he had acted improperly in his personal life, he never committed criminal acts. He has not testified in prior trials, and it remains unclear whether he will take the stand in this proceeding.

Judge Curtis Farber is revisiting evidentiary issues as the retrial unfolds, including whether additional witnesses may testify. Prosecutors are seeking to introduce testimony from a friend of Mann’s, while also indicating they may call a court officer regarding a remark allegedly made by Weinstein in 2020 if he testifies.

The defense has objected to both requests.The case has been narrowed compared to earlier trials, which included multiple accusers and charges. Jurors are expected to hear detailed accounts of Weinstein’s relationship with Mann, both before and after the alleged assault, as attorneys on both sides seek to frame the nature of their interactions.

Weinstein was once a dominant figure in Hollywood, producing films such as “Pulp Fiction” and “Shakespeare in Love,” before his career collapsed in 2017 amid widespread allegations of sexual misconduct that helped fuel the global #MeToo movement.

Mohammad Sharifullah is charged with providing material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization resulting in death, in connection with the blast at Hamid Karzai International Airport during the U.S. military withdrawal from Afghanistan.

Opening statements in federal court featured sharply contrasting accounts of Sharifullah’s alleged involvement. Defense attorney Geremy Kamens said U.S. authorities had “got the wrong man” and argued that statements attributed to his client were unreliable because they were obtained while he was in foreign custody.

Prosecutor John Gibbs countered that Sharifullah, also known as Jafar, had expressed support for attacks against Americans and admitted ties to the regional affiliate of the Islamic State group, known as Daesh-K.According to prosecutors, Sharifullah told investigators he joined the group around 2016 and acknowledged involvement in militant activities, though he denied a direct planning role in the Kabul bombing.

The government alleges he helped scout the bomber’s route to the airport ahead of the attack.The bombing occurred on Aug. 26, 2021, near Abbey Gate at the airport, where thousands of Afghans were attempting to flee as U.S. forces completed their withdrawal.

A review by U.S. Central Command identified the attacker as Abdul Rahman Al-Logari, a Daesh-K operative who had been released from prison shortly before the incident.Sharifullah was captured and brought to the United States in 2025 after his arrest in Pakistan.

Then-President Donald Trump announced his capture, and he faces a maximum sentence of life imprisonment if convicted.Jurors heard that the Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted multiple interviews with Sharifullah following his detention.

The defense argued those statements should be viewed with skepticism, alleging coercion during his time in Pakistani custody.

The trial, taking place in U.S. District Court in Alexandria, Virginia, is expected to last about a week. Twelve jurors and three alternates have been empaneled to hear the case.