Weinstein Almost Gets Sent to Jail Over Phones

Judge threatens to revoke bail but ultimately keeps it in place
By Newser Editors,  Newser Staff
Posted Jan 7, 2020 12:38 PM CST
Weinstein Almost Gets Sent to Jail Over Phones
Harvey Weinstein arrives at court for the start of jury selection in his sexual assault trial Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2020, in New York.   (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan)

Harvey Weinstein almost ended up in jail Tuesday because he can't seem to stop using his phone. The judge admonished him in court and threatened to revoke his bail, reports Reuters. “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?” state Judge James Burke asked him. Burke also told Weinstein not to answer that hypothetical. Before the proceedings began, Weinstein appeared to be texting, and at one point he actually held two phones, reports the New York Times. The best guess is that court officers informed the judge about it. The Times has this remarkable exchange:

  • Judge: “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?”
  • Weinstein attorney: “You said you never want to see a cellphone in my client’s hand.”
  • Judge: “Because it was my intention to do what?”
  • Attorney: "To change his bail conditions."
  • Judge: "To what?"
  • Attorney: "I believe you said remand."
Luckily for Weinstein, the judge ignored prosecutors' request that bail indeed be revoked. Jury selection is underway. (Weinstein faces charges across the country, too.)

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