Weinstein accuser breaks down under cross-examination in retrial

One of Harvey Weinstein's accusers has broken down in tears and left the courtroom as she testified in the former Hollywood mogul's sex crimes retrial.

Production assistant Miriam Haley was being cross examined by Weinstein's lawyer, Jennifer Bonjean, on her claims the disgraced producer sexually assaulted her in 2006.

In his third trial in five years, Weinstein is accused of sexually abusing Ms Haley, a former television production assistant, as well as an aspiring actress and a model.

Weinstein has pleaded not guilty, and in court his lawyer has sought to cast doubt on his accusers' claims and credibility.

Earlier this week, Ms Haley testified that Weinstein sexually assaulted her in July 2006 after inviting her to his apartment to "just stop by and say hi".

She alleges that he backed her into a bedroom and held her down on the bed as she pleaded "no, no - it's not going to happen", according to the BBC's US partner CBS News.

During Friday's exchange, Weinstein's lawyer Ms Bonjean questioned what Ms Haley was wearing during the incident, and whether she took her own clothes off or whether Weinstein removed them.

"He took my clothes off…I didn't take my clothes off," Ms Haley testified. "He was the one who raped me, not the other way around."

"That is for the jury to decide," Weinstein's lawyer replied.

"No, it's not for the jury to decide. It's my experience. And he did that to me," Ms Haley argued, using expletives as tears streamed down her face.

Judge Curtis Farber then paused proceedings to give Ms Haley a chance to compose herself.

She was composed when cross-examination continued after the break.

Miriam Haley, who worked as a production assistant on the Weinstein-produced television show 'Project Runway', is the first accuser to testify at his retrial.

Weinstein is charged with sexually assaulting Haley and another woman and raping a third.

He denies the allegations and his lawyers argue that his accusers had consensual encounters with a then-powerful movie producer who could advance their careers.

An appeals court overturned Weinstein's conviction in 2020.