Weinstein Almost Gets Sent to Jail Over Phones

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.)