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 "I have in no way prejudged this case," Justice James Burke told
Weinstein's lawyers. "I am going to great lengths to afford your
client a fair trial."
Sexual misconduct allegations against Weinstein by dozens of
women helped fuel the #MeToo movement, which encouraged women to
go public with misconduct allegations against powerful men.
In the New York case, Weinstein, 67, has pleaded not guilty to
charges of assaulting two women, and faces life in prison if
convicted on the most serious charge, predatory sexual assault.
His trial began on Monday and could last up to two months.
Since 2017, more than 80 women, including many famous actresses,
have accused him of sexual misconduct dating back decades.
Weinstein has denied all the allegations, saying any sexual
encounters he had were consensual.
One of his lawyers, Arthur Aidala, filed a motion on Wednesday
urging Burke to recuse himself.
As evidence of judicial bias, Aidala cited a comment Burke made
Tuesday when he threatened to revoke Weinstein's bail after
catching him using his cellphone in court.
"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?" the judge
said at the time.
Burke on Thursday said that even if the comments were
"hyperbolic," they were not evidence of prejudice.
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"I certainly never actually meant that I was going to put your
client in jail for life, nor did I mean, because I have not, that I
have prejudged whether he is guilty or innocent of the charges," the
judge said.
Burke also denied Aidala's request to delay the trial for a
"cooling-off period."
"There is no time like the present to go forward," the judge said.
"All sides are ready."
Thursday was the third day of jury selection in the case, with 120
potential jurors called in for pre-screening. A murmur went through
the courtroom when Burke announced the name of the defendant before
delivering instructions about jury service.
Burke cut the proceedings short before noon because the lead
prosecutor, Assistant District Attorney Joan Illuzzi, had a medical
issue. The 120 potential jurors are expected to return on Friday
morning.
Weinstein, once one of Hollywood's most powerful producers, made his
mark with critically acclaimed films such as "The English Patient"
and "Shakespeare in Love."
(Reporting by Brendan Pierson in New York; editing by Jonathan Oatis)
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