Weinstein lawyers want judge off rape case over texting jabs
Harvey Weinstein arrives at court for jury selection in his sexual assault trial Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2020, in New York. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)NEW YORK, NY โ Harvey Weinstein's lawyers asked the judge in his New York City rape case to step aside Wednesday after he threatened to jail the disgraced movie mogul for texting in the courtroom. Weinsteinโs lawyers sent a letter to Judge James Burke saying his comments Tuesday were โprejudicial and inflammatoryโ and raised questions about his impartiality. Weinsteinโs lawyers said the film producer, who has been seen clutching an iPhone, was using his cell phone before court was in session. As his New York trial was getting underway Monday, Los Angeles prosecutors announced new charges in a separate case against Weinstein.