Source: http://www.crazydaysandnights.net

The fix is in for this disgraced producer.

Even if the trial goes forward, he won’t serve a day in jail.

Harvey Weinstein

Several Women May Testify Against Weinstein. But a Judge Is Keeping the List of Who Secret.

A judge on Friday banned the public from a hearing to decide if he will allow testimony about uncharged crimes at the movie producer’s sexual-assault trial.

One of the primary questions hovering over the coming sexual assault trial of Harvey Weinstein is whether the court will let women aside from the two mentioned in the indictment testify about their experiences with the movie producer.

But a state court judge in Manhattan ruled on Friday that hearings to determine what evidence of uncharged crimes might be allowed at trial would take place in a sealed courtroom with the public and the press excluded.

The ruling by Justice James Burke in State Supreme Court meant the list of other witnesses prosecutors want to call to testify against Mr. Weinstein — and what they might say — will remain secret a little longer, perhaps until his trial starts on September 9.

Both the prosecution and the defense had asked for the hearing to be held behind closed doors, arguing that allowing it to be public could make it harder to find an impartial jury. Justice Burke agreed with them, ruling this month that closing the courtroom was “the only means available to avoid tainting the jury pool.”

Still, before the hearing started on Friday, a lawyer for several news organizations, including The New York Times, argued that access to judicial proceedings and records is protected by the First Amendment. The lawyer, Robert D. Balin, urged Judge Burke to unseal all court filings in the case and allow the press and the public to attend.

Justice Burke quickly turned down the request. He noted what he called Mr. Weinstein’s “celebrity status” and said a continued high level of attention from reporters could jeopardize Mr. Weinstein’s right to a fair trial. – Source


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