Winsome weather gal Heidi Jones is now hoping a technicality will free her from charges that she lied to cops by making up a ridiculous account of being attacked by a mysterious “Hispanic” pervert.
Jones has until July 20 to file motions seeking the full dismissal of the misdemeanor false filing of a police report charges, a Manhattan judge told her.
“We’re seeking dismissal on the grounds that she’s been deprived of her right to a speedy trial,” defense lawyer Paul Callan said afterward.
“A misdemeanor must be tried in 90 days,” under state law, Callan noted.
Jones, 37 — who forecast for WABC/Channel 7 and sometimes filled in on “Good Morning America” — attended the brief court appearance in a snug black dress suit and black patent leather high heels.
She entered a plea of not guilty to the charges, and left without speaking to reporters.
Prosecutors say she told cops she was jogging in Central Park on the afternoon of Sept. 24 when a “Hispanic man” in his 30’s or 40s grabbed her from behind, dragged her into a secluded wooded area and tried to rape her.
She claimed two passers-by frightened the mysterious attacker away. Jones only brought the story to cops two months later, further claiming that she was only spurred to action when the same man somehow found her again and confronted her, sources have told The Post.
Jones’ story resulted in a lengthy police investigation. She later confessed that she’d fabricated the story as a bid for sympathy, officials said.