Judge Bans TV From Hearing in Allen-Farrow Custody Battle

Television cameras will not be allowed at a court hearing next week in the child custody battle between filmmaker Woody Allen and his former lover, actress Mia Farrow, a judge ruled Friday.

The decision by Administrative Justice Stanley Ostrau of state Supreme Court reverses Justice Elliott Wilk’s ruling on Nov. 13 that cameras and microphones would be allowed at the hearing Tuesday.

At that hearing, Wilk is to consider whether to bar Allen from the school attended by the adopted daughter Farrow has accused him of sexually abusing and whether he must preserve a letter saying he would not try to adopt any of Farrow’s children if she died.

“There is also a likelihood that allegations of sexual abuse and of other ‘scandalous matters’ may be presented” at the hearing, Ostrau said.

He said that while reporters may attend the hearing, “I nonetheless believe that audio-visual coverage . . . would be inappropriate.”

Both sides praised the ruling.

“I think it’s a terrific decision, especially for the children,” said Allen’s lawyer, Harvey Sladkus.

“I think it’s wonderful for the children,” said Farrow’s lawyer, Eleanor Alter.

Ostrau heard arguments from both sides and from attorney Floyd Abrams, who represented cable television’s Court Television and broadcasters in New York.

Allen, 57, adopted two of Farrow’s 11 children--Dylan, 7, and Moses, 14. They have one biological son, Satchel, 4. Allen is seeking custody of the three.

The legal fight began after Farrow, 47, learned in January that Allen, her lover for the previous 12 years, was romantically involved with her adopted daughter, Soon-Yi Previn, 21.

In August, Farrow’s lawyers accused Allen of sexually molesting Dylan. Allen denies the allegation and is cooperating with New York and Connecticut authorities investigating the case.

Farrow has asked the court to void Allen’s adoptions of Dylan and Moses on grounds that he committed fraud by not divulging his “virtually incestuous” relationship with their adopted sister.