Disgraced movie mogul Harvey Weinstein appeared in a New York City courtroom clutching an inhaler, after pleading with a judge to have him moved from jail.
The 73-year-old arrived in court on Wednesday in a wheelchair after his lawyers filed a request that he spend his nights at a hospital in the city instead of Rikers Island for the duration of his rape retrial.
Hislawyers made the request as jury selection resumed for a second day, saying conditions in the jail complex are making his health issues worse.
They say he'd be better off in the prison ward at Bellevue Hospital, where he has been appearing in recent months for treatment of a myriad of health issues.
Weinstein has numerous health conditions, including chronic myeloid leukemia, heart issues, diabetes, obstructive sleep apnea, sciatica and severe limitations on his ability to walk.
A recent tongue infection was misdiagnosed at Rikers, requiring hospitalization, and he has gained nearly 20 pounds in the past month, his lawyer Imran Ansari said.
In a statement, Ansari said Weinstein is also subjected to freezing temperatures at Rikers and isn't provided with clean clothing.
Ansari say that if he is not allowed to leave Rikers he could die as a result of his health conditions.
Weinstein appeared in court on Wednesday as jury selection continued, and clutched an inhaler at one point
Weinstein has numerous health conditions, including chronic myeloid leukemia, heart issues, diabetes , obstructive sleep apnea, sciatica and severe limitations on his ability to walk
He said: 'Because of this mistreatment, he has been worn down considerably health wise, and now faces the stress of trial in this condition, which may very well lead to serious health complications, even death.'
Judge Curtis Farber has yet to rule on the transfer request, and the issue wasn't discussed in court before jury selection resumed on Wednesday morning.
The first day ended on Tuesday with no one chosen for the panel of 12 jurors and six alternates.
Wednesday kicked off with two dozen prospective jurors being brought to the courtroom for more questioning after making it through an initial round a day earlier.
Weinstein is being tried again after New York´s highest court, the Court of Appeals, last year overturned his 2020 convictionand 23-year prison sentence.
A new trial was ordered after finding that improper rulings and prejudicial testimony tainted the original one.
Weinstein is being retried on two charges from his original trial. He´s accused of raping an aspiring actor in a Manhattan hotel room in 2013.
He is also accused of a criminal sex act by forcing oral sex on a movie and TV production assistant in 2006.
His lawyer said Weinstein is subjected to freezing temperatures at Rikers, seen here, and isn't provided with clean clothing
Weinstein is seen here as he arrived at the Oscars ceremony in Los Angeles, February 28, 2016
He is also charged with one count of criminal sex act based on an allegation from a woman who was not a part of the original trial.
That woman, who has asked not to be named publicly, alleges that Weinstein forced oral sex on her at a Manhattan hotel.
Weinstein has pleaded not guilty and denies raping or sexually assaulting anyone.
Rikers has come under growing scrutiny for its mistreatment of detainees and dangerous conditions.
Last year, a federal judge cleared the way for a possible federal takeover, finding the city had placed inmates in 'unconstitutional danger.'
Weinstein's lawyers filed a legal claim against New York City last November, alleging he was receiving substandard medical treatment in unhygienic conditions at Rikers.
The claim, which seeks $5 million in damages, argues that Weinstein has been returned to Rikers each time before fully recovering at the hospital.
Speaking with DailyMail.com last month, Weinstein described the conditions inside the complex as being 'unbearable'.
He said: ''This is inhumane, horrifying and needs to be torn down.'
As well as the New York case, he also has an appeal pending in California,where he received a 16-year-sentence for a separate rape conviction in Los Angeles in 2022.
