There have been accusations of "borderline jury tampering" in Harvey Weinstein's rape trial after the lead defence lawyer wrote an opinion piece imploring jurors "to do what they know is right".
Donna Rotunno, the attorney for the embattled former film producer, who is accused of raping former actress Jessica Mann and sexually assaulting former production assistant Miriam Hayley, wrote an opinion piece for Newsweek on Monday.
In it, Rotunno calls for jurors to "look past the headlines" and "base their verdict solely on the fact".
"I implore the members of this jury to do what they know is right… The facts are the facts. Harvey Weinstein is innocent."
That opinion piece threw the New York trial into chaos on Wednesday as jurors were sent away to deliberate their verdict.
Deadline reports that lead prosecutor Joan Illuzzi labelled the column "borderline jury tampering". Rotunno, however, argued that the opinion piece wasn't meant to directly address the jury in the case.
In response to the opinion piece, Justice James Burke ordered Weinstein's lawyers to "refrain from communicating with the press until there is a verdict in the case".
"I would caution you about the tentacles of your public relations juggernaut."
He rejected a call from prosecutors, however, to instruct jurors to ignore the Newsweek article.
It's not the first time Rotunno has made controversial comments during the trial. Earlier this month, she came under fire when she said she had never been sexually assaulted "because I would never put myself in that position".
While more than 80 women have accused Weinstein of sexual misconduct dating back decades, only a few of the accusations have led to criminal charges. On top of the charges in the New York trial - for which he faces life imprisonment if found guilty - Weinstein is also facing four charges in Los Angeles, including for forcible rape.
Accusations against Weinstein helped fuel the #MeToo movement in which hundreds of women have accused powerful individuals in business, entertainment and politics of sexual misconduct.
