Harvey Weinstein appears in court to face new charges

Harvey Weinstein appeared in a Manhattan courtroom Monday to face a judge on new sex assault charges.

News 12 Staff

Aug 26, 2019, 10:47 PM

Updated 1,697 days ago

Share:

Harvey Weinstein appeared in a Manhattan courtroom Monday to face a judge on new sex assault charges.
Weinstein plead not guilty on a new indictment that includes revised charges of predatory sexual assault. Weinstein is set to stand trial for allegedly raping and forcing himself onto two women. This new indictment clears the way for a third woman, actress Annabella Sciorra, to testify at that trial.
Sciorra, best known for her role on “The Sopranos,” says Weinstein raped her inside her Manhattan apartment in 1993. Due to statute of limitations, Weinstein cannot be charged with that alleged crime, but prosecutors want to use Sciorra's testimony to try to prove Weinstein had a pattern of assaulting women.
"She's willing to, under that questioning, even though there is no personal benefit to herself, and even though it could be extremely stressful to her," said Gloria Allred, Scriorra's attorney.
Weinstein's attorney, Donna Rotunno, called the new indictment "desperate."
"I think the case itself is weak, and I think they feel like they need this portion to help with what they have," Rotunno said. "We plan on filing many motions attempting to again, dismiss these counts."
Keith Scott, the director of education at "The Safe Center," says Sciorra testifying in open court will help other sex assault victims.
Court papers unsealed Monday indicate that, in addition to Sciorra, prosecutors plan to call three other women as witnesses to try to demonstrate a pattern of "prior bad acts" by Weinstein.
The trial, which was set to begin in September, has now been delayed until Jan. 6.


More from News 12
1:30
Police: Car drives into Plainview dance studio; 3 suffer minor injuries

Police: Car drives into Plainview dance studio; 3 suffer minor injuries

2:03
Brightening skies and warmer temperatures heading into the weekend

Brightening skies and warmer temperatures heading into the weekend

1:50
Concern growing over homeless shelter near West Babylon day care

Concern growing over homeless shelter near West Babylon day care

2:00
John Theissen Children's Foundation opens Family Fun Center in Wantagh

John Theissen Children's Foundation opens Family Fun Center in Wantagh

0:13
Officials: West Babylon home destroyed by fire

Officials: West Babylon home destroyed by fire

0:47
Cafe 217 provides students with autism chance for work experience at East Rockaway HS

Cafe 217 provides students with autism chance for work experience at East Rockaway HS

0:42
Community raises $12,000 for workers of Merrick bar closed due to fire

Community raises $12,000 for workers of Merrick bar closed due to fire

0:23
Police: Hempstead man stole parking meters near Jericho Turnpike and Roslyn Road

Police: Hempstead man stole parking meters near Jericho Turnpike and Roslyn Road

1:55
8-year-old from Valley Stream becomes first in NY to undergo gene therapy for rare disease

8-year-old from Valley Stream becomes first in NY to undergo gene therapy for rare disease

2:27
2016 whistleblower tip warned of barrels buried at old Grumman property in Bethpage

2016 whistleblower tip warned of barrels buried at old Grumman property in Bethpage

0:25
Long Islander wins $1,000 a day for life from lotto ticket

Long Islander wins $1,000 a day for life from lotto ticket

1:34
Police: Drunk driver hits patrol car at scene of DWI crash; Suffolk officer hurt

Police: Drunk driver hits patrol car at scene of DWI crash; Suffolk officer hurt

0:44
NuHealth holds breast cancer screenings at Plainview-Old Bethpage Library

NuHealth holds breast cancer screenings at Plainview-Old Bethpage Library

1:09
The East End: Hamptons Handpoured

The East End: Hamptons Handpoured

1:52
Find fun, interactive activities for family and friends at Main Street Board Game Café in Huntington

Find fun, interactive activities for family and friends at Main Street Board Game Café in Huntington

0:37
North Babylon HS gives away dresses, suits ahead of prom season

North Babylon HS gives away dresses, suits ahead of prom season

0:22
Central Islip man sentenced to 22 years in prison for raping daughter

Central Islip man sentenced to 22 years in prison for raping daughter

1:45
Long Island pizzerias come together to raise funds for family of slain detective

Long Island pizzerias come together to raise funds for family of slain detective

0:30
Hempstead man pleads guilty, gets 8 years for drug trafficking

Hempstead man pleads guilty, gets 8 years for drug trafficking

0:19
Nassau Legislature approves 2 new outdoor fields for Mitchel Athletic Complex

Nassau Legislature approves 2 new outdoor fields for Mitchel Athletic Complex