Harvey Weinstein pleads not guilty, rape trial delayed to January

Film producer Harvey Weinstein leaves New York Supreme Court after his arraignment in his sexual assault case in New York, U. S., August 26, 2019. REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Former Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein pleaded not guilty on Monday to a new indictment as his upcoming criminal trial was pushed back to January, in a case where prosecutors have accused him of rape and predatory sexual assault.

Weinstein, 67, entered his plea in a New York state court in Manhattan, where his trial was delayed by four months, to Jan. 6, 2020. He had faced a Sept. 9 trial date.

Film producer Harvey Weinstein arrives at New York Supreme Court for the arraignment in his sexual assault case in New York, U.S., August 26, 2019. REUTERS/Jeenah Moon

The new indictment accuses Weinstein of two counts of predatory sexual assault, stemming from alleged assaults against two women, in 2006 and 2013. Those charges are essentially the same as those in the previous indictment against Weinstein, and prosecutors moved Monday to consolidate the two cases.

However, the new indictment also comes with a disclosure that a third woman will be called to testify that Weinstein raped her in 1993 to bolster the prosecutors' case. Weinstein cannot be charged directly with raping that woman, actress Annabella Sciorra, because the statute of limitations has run out.

New York Supreme Court Justice James Burke, who is presiding over the case, had previously ruled that Sciorra could not testify because the grand jury that returned the earlier indictment had not heard any evidence about her alleged rape.

Film producer Harvey Weinstein sticks his tongue out as he leaves after a hearing in New York State Supreme Court in the Manhattan borough of New York, August 26, 2019. REUTERS/Jefferson Siegel

"I commend Annabella for her willingness to take the stand and answer questions under oath," Sciorra's lawyer, Gloria Allred, said in a statement on Monday.

Donna Rotunno, one of Weinstein's lawyers, said after the hearing that Weinstein would seek to dismiss the new indictment, calling the case "weak."

Once among Hollywood's most powerful producers, he has pleaded not guilty to five criminal charges in the earlier indictment, including rape and predatory sexual assault. He could face a life sentence if convicted.

Film producer Harvey Weinstein leaves after a hearing in New York State Supreme Court in the Manhattan borough of New York, August 26, 2019. REUTERS/Jefferson Siegel

The two women in the earlier indictment are among roughly 70 who have accused Weinstein of sexual misconduct dating back decades. Weinstein has denied the allegations and said any sexual encounters were consensual.

Lawyers for Weinstein have asked that the trial be moved, perhaps to Suffolk County on Long Island or to Albany County upstate, because intense media scrutiny in New York City would make it impossible for him to get a fair trial there, according to a court filing.

Film producer Harvey Weinstein leaves after a hearing in New York State Supreme Court in the Manhattan borough of New York, August 26, 2019. REUTERS/Jefferson Siegel

(Reporting by Brendan Pierson in New York; Editing by Cynthia Osterman and Jonathan Oatis)

Attorney Gloria Allred speaks at a news conference after his arraignment in his sexual assault case in New York, U. S., August 26, 2019. REUTERS/Jeenah Moon

Film producer Harvey Weinstein leaves after a hearing in New York State Supreme Court in the Manhattan borough of New York, August 26, 2019. REUTERS/Jefferson Siegel

Film producer Harvey Weinstein leaves New York Supreme Court after his arraignment in his sexual assault case in New York, U. S., August 26, 2019. REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton

Film producer Harvey Weinstein leaves after a hearing in New York State Supreme Court in the Manhattan borough of New York, August 26, 2019. REUTERS/Jefferson Siegel

Film producer Harvey Weinstein leaves after a hearing in New York State Supreme Court in the Manhattan borough of New York, August 26, 2019. REUTERS/Jefferson Siegel

Film producer Harvey Weinstein arrives for a hearing in New York State Supreme Court in the Manhattan borough of New York, U.S., August 26, 2019. REUTERS/Jefferson Siegel

Film producer Harvey Weinstein arrives for a hearing in New York State Supreme Court in the Manhattan borough of New York, U.S., August 26, 2019. REUTERS/Jefferson Siegel

Film producer Harvey Weinstein arrives for a hearing in New York State Supreme Court in the Manhattan borough of New York, U.S., August 26, 2019. REUTERS/Jefferson Siegel

Film producer Harvey Weinstein arrives for a hearing in New York State Supreme Court in the Manhattan borough of New York, U.S., August 26, 2019. REUTERS/Jefferson Siegel

Arthur Aidala, the defense lawyer for film producer Harvey Weinstein, arrives for a hearing in New York State Supreme Court in the Manhattan borough of New York, U.S., August 26, 2019. REUTERS/Jefferson Siegel

Film producer Harvey Weinstein arrives for a hearing in New York State Supreme Court in the Manhattan borough of New York, U.S., August 26, 2019. REUTERS/Jefferson Siegel

Film producer Harvey Weinstein arrives at New York Supreme Court for the arraignment in his sexual assault case in New York, U. S., August 26, 2019. REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton