Judge Blocks Weinstein Lawyers’ Subpoenas for Several Witnesses’ Emails, Texts and Communication

variety.com:

Gene Maddaus Senior Media WriterA Los Angeles judge on Monday ruled to limit the amount of information that could be obtained by Harvey Weinstein’s defense team for his upcoming trial on 11 counts of rape and sexual assault.Judge Lisa B.

Lench approved the prosecution’s motion to quash subpoenas from four witnesses for their correspondence, including personal emails and texts dating as far back as 2004, with one of the alleged victims (referred to as Jane Doe #4).

However, the judge said she wouldn’t prevent the defense from serving future subpoenas to victims, and wouldn’t ask them to notify the prosecution in advance about attempts to serve.“As I read the subpoenas, they are over-broad and they call for confidential information between those parties,” Lench said, referring to the witness’ privacy rights.

She also quashed subpoenas to the Los Angeles Police Department and Beverly Hills Police Department for investigation results, as well as a witness’ mental health records, which the judge deemed privileged communication.Weinstein, wearing a blue mask and a brown jail jumpsuit, held a book about Hollywood in hand as he was wheeled into court by deputies on Monday morning.Paul Thompson, the lead prosecutor, argued that the the subpoenas could “have a chilling effect on people coming forward” and “have the tendency to harass witnesses.”In her ruling, Lench said, “If it appears that any activity on anyone’s part is harassing, I will take that up at a later time.”Weinstein’s lawyer Alan Jackson spent the majority of the pre-trial hearing debating about what rights are covered under Marsy’s Law, also known as the California Victims’ Bill of Rights.