The jury, comprised of six white men, three black women, one black man and two white women, is set to hear opening arguments next week. Three legal experts said the defence appeared to assume white women would be more likely to sympathise with Weinstein’s accusers. At least one other white female accuser, US actress Annabella Sciorra, is expected to testify. It is illegal to use peremptory challenges to eliminate potential jurors on the basis of sex, race, ethnicity or religion. Jill Taylor, who works for a trial consulting firm, said the defence’s reasons for dismissing the white women appeared to be legitimate.

Source: The Irish Times January 17, 2020 21:45 UTC