Braunstein Trial Judge Warns Against Antics

State Supreme Court Justice Thomas Farber warned attorneys in the Halloween sex abuse trial of Peter Braunstein not to turn his courtroom into a "circus" when the defendant's former girlfriend takes the witness stand next week.

The judge ruled yesterday that the ex-girlfriend, Jane Larkworthy, could tell the jury details about their relationship, including how Mr. Braunstein once tied her up and threatened her with a knife.

An assistant district attorney, Maxine Rosenthal, said Monday that Mr. Braunstein attacked another Chelsea woman as retribution for being rejected by Ms. Larkworthy and fired from his job as a columnist.