Sleazy composer Joseph Brooks appeared in court on rape charges Tuesday - four days after his son was hit with an attempted murder rap in the same Manhattan courthouse. "No, no," the older Brooks muttered when asked about the case against Nicholas Brooks, 24, who was charged in connection with the Soho House death last week of his beautiful designer girlfriend, Sylvie Cachay.

Flanked by his lawyer, Jeffrey Hoffman, Brooks, 72, teetered out of court on a cane after prosecutors and Hoffman agreed a trial date would likely be set at Brooks' next appearance on Jan. 18. The Oscar-winning composer was charged last year with raping starlets.

Hoffman, who also represents Nicholas Brooks, said it remains unclear whether Manhattan District Attorney Cy Vance Jr. will seek murder charges against the younger Brooks. A grand jury could vote on the case as early as tomorrow - and Hoffman said Brooks' slacker son may testify.

Murder charges have not been filed because the city medical examiner's office has not determined what caused Cachay's death. The ruling could come late this week, sources said. Officials say they believe Nicholas Brooks injured Cachay and intended to kill her.