Harvey Weinstein pleads not guilty to rape, sex assault charges
June 05, 2018 19:44
Harvey Weinstein appeared in court in New York on Tuesday, to plead not guilty on rape and criminal sex act charges.
A grand jury indicted the former film mogul last week on charges involving two women. Weinstein later posted bail for $1m.
One alleged victim, who has not been identified publicly, told investigators Weinstein cornered her in a hotel room and raped her. The other accuser, Lucia Evans a former actor, has gone public with her account of Weinstein forcing her to perform oral sex at his office in 2004.
Outside judge James Burkes courtroom on Tuesday, the corridors were packed with photographers looking to get a clear sight of the producer. Weinstein was not expected to say much but this was still a momentous day in downfall of a man who dozens of women have accused of sexual misconduct in what is likely to become the signature trial of the #MeToo movement.
Weinstein walked in with a limp, looking pale and taking in his surroundings. Seated between his attorneys, he said clearly in a low voice: Not guilty.
Weinstein, 66, has denied all allegations of nonconsensual sex. His lawyer, Benjamin Brafman, has challenged the credibility of his alleged victims and says his client is confident he will clear his name.
Brafman has called the rape allegation absurd, saying the accuser and Weinstein had a decade-long consensual sexual relationship that continued after the alleged 2013 attack.
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