Cuba Gooding Jr appears relaxed in court as judge declares that she won’t make any ‘rash decisions’

The ‘Boyz n the Hood’ star was flanked by his entourage and NYPD officers as he made his way into the Manhattan courthouse on Wednesday

Cuba Gooding Jr. appeared at ease as he arrived back in court on Wednesday in Manhattan for groping charges that his lawyers hoped to have dismissed. 

The ‘Boyz n the Hood’ star was flanked by his entourage and NYPD officers as he made his way into the courthouse for his charges of forcible touching and sexual abuse in the third degree. 

Gooding sported an all-black suit ensemble and a pair of dark shades to compliment the look to court.

He waved at fans and paparazzi as he made his way into the court. 

Gooding’s lawyers – Mark Heller and Peter Toumbekis – argued in court papers this week that security video from the rooftop bar near Times Square contradicts the woman allegations and that witnesses say no crime occurred.

Heller also questioned the accuser’s credibility, saying her blog posts are indicative of a ‘troubled mentality.’

But Judge Keshia Espinal asserted that she would not make any ‘rash decisions’ until prosecutors were able to respond to Heller’s claims on July 17, TMZ reports.

The actor waved at fans and paparazzi as he made his way into the court

Gooding sported an all-black suit ensemble

Gooding sported an all-black suit ensemble to court. He waved at fans and paparazzi

Gooding's lawyer - Mark Heller and Peter Toumbekis - argued in court papers this week that security video from the rooftop bar near Times Square contradicts the woman allegations and that witnesses say no crime occurred. They requested a dismissal for Gooding's trial

Gooding’s lawyer – Mark Heller and Peter Toumbekis – argued in court papers this week that security video from the rooftop bar near Times Square contradicts the woman allegations and that witnesses say no crime occurred. They requested a dismissal for Gooding’s trial

She added that she would not decide on the motion until August 14.  

The Oscar-winning ‘Jerry Maguire” star’s upcoming film projects could be in jeopardy if the case drags on and he has to shuttle between his Hollywood home and a Manhattan courthouse for hearings and a trial, defense lawyer Mark Heller argued.

‘Mr. Gooding’s life is put on hold. It’s on a pause button,’ Heller told Espinal during the 10-minute hearing. ‘It’s urgent that this matter be dismissed as quickly as possible.’

Swarmed by cameras outside the courthouse, Gooding smiled and nodded when asked whether he thought the case would ultimately be dismissed. He did not comment on the proceedings. Espinal ordered him to return for the August hearing.

As Gooding waited for his ride, a passerby yelled out a remix of his most famous movie line, shouting: ‘Show us the money, Cuba!’

Gooding, 51, is accused of placing his hand on the woman’s breast and squeezing it without her consent June 9 at Magic Hour Rooftop Bar & Lounge near Times Square. 

She told police she believed that Gooding, the Oscar-winning star of ‘Jerry Maguire,’ was intoxicated at the time.

Gooding was arrested four days later after turning himself in to police. He pleaded not guilty to forcible touching and sexual abuse charges at a night court arraignment and was released on his own recognizance after about six hours in police custody.

But Judge Keshia Espinal asserted that she would not make any 'rash decisions' until prosecutors were able to respond to Heller's claims on July 17. Gooding did not seem distraught by the news as he left court

But Judge Keshia Espinal asserted that she would not make any ‘rash decisions’ until prosecutors were able to respond to Heller’s claims on July 17. Gooding did not seem distraught by the news as he left court

She added that she would not decide on the motion for Gooding's case until August 14

She added that she would not decide on the motion for Gooding’s case until August 14

Gooding gives a thumbs up as he leaves court on Wednesday

Gooding gives a thumbs up as he leaves court on Wednesday

A conviction in the New York case could put Gooding behind bars for up to a year.

Video obtained by TMZ that the website says is from inside the bar on the night in question appears to show Gooding putting his hand on or near a woman’s leg and breast as they sit on a couch with his girlfriend between them.

Gooding is then seen pulling the woman’s hand to his lips, as if to kiss it, and leaning toward her before another man steps up and talks with them.

Gooding’s girlfriend, Claudine De Niro, and a man seen approaching Gooding after the alleged incident said in affidavits filed with Heller’s dismissal motion that they did not see Gooding touch the woman’s breast.

John Baeza, a retired NYPD sex crimes detective hired by Heller to analyze security video of the alleged incident, said in an affidavit accompanying the court papers that he studied the footage frame-by-frame and concluded that it does not show Gooding putting his hand on the accuser’s breast.

Gooding, 51, is accused of placing his hand on the woman's breast and squeezing it without her consent June 9 at Magic Hour Rooftop Bar & Lounge near Times Square

Gooding, 51, is accused of placing his hand on the woman’s breast and squeezing it without her consent June 9 at Magic Hour Rooftop Bar & Lounge near Times Square

Gooding was arrested four days later after turning himself in to police. He pleaded not guilty to forcible touching and sexual abuse charges at a night court arraignment and was released on his own recognizance after about six hours in police custody

Gooding was arrested four days later after turning himself in to police. He pleaded not guilty to forcible touching and sexual abuse charges at a night court arraignment and was released on his own recognizance after about six hours in police custody 

Heller said the accuser initially told police she was ‘partying with Cuba Gooding Jr.’ and claimed that Gooding groped her while she was handing him a glass of water, leading to a verbal dispute.

None of that was true, Heller said, and the woman ended up revising her story. He said witnesses who disputed the groping allegations weren’t interviewed by police before Gooding’s arrest.

Summarizing his argument, Heller wrote: ‘The interests of justice are SCREAMING OUT’ for Gooding’s exoneration.

Read more at DailyMail.co.uk