NEW YORK — The actor Cuba Gooding Jr. will face trial on sex crimes charges in February, three years after his indictment, a Manhattan judge ruled Monday.
The Oscar-winning actor appeared in Manhattan Supreme Court in person for the first time since the start of the COVID pandemic in a black suit, black boots and a black surgical mask.
Gooding, 53, is accused of unwanted touching by three women in separate encounters. He’s accused of rape in a separate Manhattan Federal Court lawsuit.
Judge Curtis Farber, citing the case’s age, denied a request from Gooding’s lawyer to wait until May to hold the trial.
“This case has been on my calendar for two years going on three years,” Farber said. “This is a firm trial date, and it has to go.”
Gooding declined to speak with reporters. Seated alone in the courtroom’s second row before the hearing, he witnessed a man plead guilty to attempted murder. He covertly left the building via a back exit.
