NEW YORK, Aug 26, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – Fallen movie mogul Harvey Weinstein,
indicted over two sexual assault allegations, is to be informed of new
allegations against him Monday that could delay his trial and complicate his
defense.
New York prosecutors announced on Thursday that they had filed a new
indictment against the 67-year-old former producer. The original accusations
against him were a catalyst for America’s #MeToo movement.
The document is expected to be made public in a state court on Monday, two
weeks before jury selection for his trial is scheduled to start on September
9.
According to US media the new indictment will include testimony from
actress Annabella Sciorra, known for her star turn in the hit television
series “The Sopranos.”
Sciorra helped trigger the #MeToo movement in October 2017 when she told
The New Yorker magazine that Weinstein raped her at her home in Manhattan in
1993.
Weinstein has always insisted his sexual relationships were consensual and
is again expected to enter a not guilty plea on Monday.
Once one of the most powerful men in Hollywood, Weinstein has been accused
of harassment and assault by more than 80 women, including stars such as
Angelina Jolie and Ashley Judd.
But the “Pulp Fiction” producer only faces charges involving two women —
one who alleges he raped her in 2013, the other who claims he forcibly
performed oral sex on her in 2006.
Sciorra reportedly approached prosecutors too late for her allegations to
be included in the original indictment, The New York Times reported, citing a
letter written by the prosecutor in charge of the case.
The judge denied a prosecution request that Sciorra be allowed to give
evidence at Weinstein’s trial because she had not testified before a grand
jury as is procedure under US law.
Prosecutors hope the new indictment will allow her to testify. The number
of accusers appearing in court can influence the verdict, as seen in the 2018
conviction of Bill Cosby.
Weinstein’s lawyers have denounced the new indictment as a “desperate”
last-minute move and are expected to ask for the indictment to be dismissed.
Bennett Gershman, a law professor at Pace University and a former
prosecutor, said the judge will likely reject their request.
They will at most be given “more time to prepare the trial,” he told AFP,
meaning a delay to the start of the trial.
Weinstein’s attorneys have also asked for the trial to be moved, arguing
that intense coverage in New York’s tabloids has meant he won’t get a fair
trial.
A decision will also likely come Monday but the request is expected to be
rejected.