The 'Birds of Prey' actress is among the potential witnesses in the rape trial against the disgraced movie mogul following her friend Sciorra's testimony.
- Jan 24, 2020
AceShowbiz - Actress Rosie Perez could be set to testify at Harvey Weinstein's ongoing rape trial in support of "The Sopranos" actress Annabella Sciorra, it was revealed Thursday, January 23, 2020.
Sciorra has alleged the disgraced Miramax boss raped her in the winter of 1993 to 1994, with the star calling her pal Perez after the incident to disclose what she claims happened.
As the trial wrapped up for the day, Assistant District Attorney Joan Illuzzi-Orbon argued that the jury should be allowed to hear from Perez to refute the defence's claim that her friend Sciorra had made up the allegation.
"Miss Perez will testify that in fact Annabella Sciorra told her what Harvey Weinstein did to her, about that rape in 1994," the prosecutor said in Manhattan Supreme Court, New York.
During her five hours on the stand, she also testified that Weinstein stalked her while she was in London to film "The Innocent Sleeps", showing up outside her hotel room and banging on the door demanding that she let him in.
She didn't, but Perez apparently heard about the incident and allegedly called to check in on her friend.
"I don't want him to get me again," she told Perez, according to Illuzzi-Orbon, to which she responded, "Oh my God, Harvey Weinstein was the person who raped you!"
Illuzzi-Orbon said that the defence had repeatedly claimed Sciorra fabricated the attack, while defence lawyer Damon Cheronis argued that Perez should be barred from taking the stand.
Justice James Burke, who is presiding over the case, said he'd rule on the motion soon.
The 67-year-old faces five charges of sexual assault stemming from allegations by two women, Jessica Mann and Miriam Haleyi, related to incidents in 2006 and 2013. They also are expected to testify. Weinstein is not being tried over Sciorra's allegation, as it falls outside the statute of limitations.
Weinstein, who faces life behind bars if convicted, maintains that all the sexual encounters were consensual.
