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Harvey Weinstein rebuked by judge for using phone in court | Harvey Weinstein rebuked by judge for using phone in court |
(32 minutes later) | |
A judge has angrily threatened to lock up Harvey Weinstein for using his phone in a New York City court where a jury is being picked for his rape trial. | A judge has angrily threatened to lock up Harvey Weinstein for using his phone in a New York City court where a jury is being picked for his rape trial. |
"Is this really the way you want to end up in jail for the rest of your life, by texting and violating a court order?" asked Judge James Burke. | "Is this really the way you want to end up in jail for the rest of your life, by texting and violating a court order?" asked Judge James Burke. |
The Manhattan judge instructed the former Hollywood producer, who is out on bail, not to answer the question. | The Manhattan judge instructed the former Hollywood producer, who is out on bail, not to answer the question. |
Mr Weinstein faces five charges and possibly life in jail if convicted. | Mr Weinstein faces five charges and possibly life in jail if convicted. |
The allegations include rape and predatory sexual assault relating to two unnamed accusers. He is charged with raping one woman in a Manhattan hotel room in 2013, and performing a forcible sex act on the second woman in 2006. | The allegations include rape and predatory sexual assault relating to two unnamed accusers. He is charged with raping one woman in a Manhattan hotel room in 2013, and performing a forcible sex act on the second woman in 2006. |
On Monday, Mr Weinstein was charged with an additional two counts in Los Angeles: rape and sexual assault. | On Monday, Mr Weinstein was charged with an additional two counts in Los Angeles: rape and sexual assault. |
The 67-year-old has denied all charges and insists any sexual encounters were consensual. | The 67-year-old has denied all charges and insists any sexual encounters were consensual. |
Mr Weinstein was caught using two mobile phones on Tuesday, according to local media. He had already been admonished by Judge Burke at previous court appearances for using a handset. | |
"What did I say would happen if he so much has a cellphone or electronic device since there have been repeated violations of this, including some on the record?" Judge Burke said. | |
"I believe you said remand," Mr Weinstein's lawyer replied after a heated exchange, meaning to put his client in jail. | |
Lead prosecutor Joan Illuzzi urged Judge Burke to jail Mr Weinstein, who is out on $5m (£3.8m) bail. He is required to wear an electronic tracking device. | Lead prosecutor Joan Illuzzi urged Judge Burke to jail Mr Weinstein, who is out on $5m (£3.8m) bail. He is required to wear an electronic tracking device. |
"There is a grave risk that this defendant at some point will realise that the evidence against him is imposing and overwhelming" and he will try to escape, Ms Illuzzi said. | "There is a grave risk that this defendant at some point will realise that the evidence against him is imposing and overwhelming" and he will try to escape, Ms Illuzzi said. |
Judge Burke ultimately declined to revoke Mr Weinstein's bail, but told the former movie mogul he would not get any further warning. | Judge Burke ultimately declined to revoke Mr Weinstein's bail, but told the former movie mogul he would not get any further warning. |
"I'm not looking for apologies," Judge Burke said, "I'm looking for compliance." | "I'm not looking for apologies," Judge Burke said, "I'm looking for compliance." |
In court, Mr Weinstein's lawyer, Arthur Aidala, asked Judge Burke to delay jury selection, arguing that the jury pool had been tarnished by the extensive press coverage of the Los Angeles charges filed on Monday. | In court, Mr Weinstein's lawyer, Arthur Aidala, asked Judge Burke to delay jury selection, arguing that the jury pool had been tarnished by the extensive press coverage of the Los Angeles charges filed on Monday. |
"For a prosecutor, this is Christmas morning," Mr Aidala said, holding a stack of Monday's newspapers. "What better present than the morning of jury selection to have him smeared everywhere?" | "For a prosecutor, this is Christmas morning," Mr Aidala said, holding a stack of Monday's newspapers. "What better present than the morning of jury selection to have him smeared everywhere?" |
Judge Burke rejected the defence request. | Judge Burke rejected the defence request. |
After jury selection, Mr Weinstein's New York trial is expected to begin in around two weeks. | After jury selection, Mr Weinstein's New York trial is expected to begin in around two weeks. |
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