Covering this case for @CourthouseNews.
Judge Preska, presiding over both cases, announces the subject of the hearing is Alan Dershowitz's motion to modify the protective order to obtain information that he believes will be helpful to his defense.
"The material will be used solely for the purposes of the case," he adds later.
Judge Preska pushes back on that: "I don't think that's improvidently granted."
Some of those documents were not public at the time, she said.
"I believe there is a compelling need here," he says, citing the need for the professor to defend himself "while facing an adversary who has in her custody, possession or control, all of the materials he seeks."
By interviewing them, Cooper said, they might have relevant info.
"We think your honor should deny Mr. Dershowitz's motion now," he says, arguing against modifying the protective order.
Lewin says he has not seen the deposition and so does not know.
Dershowitz's attorney Cooper: "Her central assertion is that Dershowitz conspired with Maxwell and Epstein to conceal their sex-trafficking operation."
More on the case from last April: courthousenews.com/new-epstein-ac…
"Your honor should deny this motion. Deny it now."
Then decide each document in the open-records case on a case-by-case basis, Lewin adds.
Judge Preska reserves decision on the matter.
But they were handled in tandem.
No ruling for now.