Harvey Weinstein trial: Accuser’s roommate tells court alleged attack sounded ‘like rape’

Trial is in its second week of testimony

The roommate of one of the women who has come forward against Harvey Weinstein testified in court that the alleged attack sounded “like rape” to her.

Elizabeth Entin took the stand on Tuesday. She used to live with Mimi Haleyi, who alleges that Weinstein attacked her in 2006. Entin’s testimony was part of the prosecution’s effort to corroborate Haleyi’s earlier testimony.

Entin told jurors that Haleyi, a former production assistant, told her about the alleged encounter a short time after it happened.

She said Haleyi was anxious and pacing as she recounted telling Weinstein, “No. No.”

She said she told Haleyi, “That sounds like rape. Why don’t you call a lawyer?” but Haleyi didn’t want to pursue it or talk about it.

Cross-examination by one of Weinstein’s lawyers led to Entin testifying that her pet Chihuahua once chased Weinstein around the apartment – which Weinstein commented on in a brief exchange with a reporter outside the courtroom.

Weinstein is charged with performing a forcible sex act on Haleyi in 2006 and raping another woman in 2013. He has pleaded not guilty and denied all allegations of non-consensual sex. He has also denied retaliating against women.

If convicted on the most serious charges against him, Weinstein could spend the rest of his life in prison.

Last week, Sopranos actress Annabella Sciorra testified that Weinstein allegedly overpowered and raped her after barging into her apartment in the 1990s. While outside the statute of limitations for criminal charges, Sciorra’s claims could be a factor as prosecutors look to prove Weinstein allegedly engaged in a pattern of predatory behaviour.

Additional reporting by agencies