CELEBRITY JUSTICE ™

Bill Cosby's legal team doesn't want the jury to hear a phone call Andrea Constand made to her mom, and is asking a judge to bar it from his retrial ... TMZ has learned.

According to new legal docs ... Cosby's lawyers claim his accuser's call in January 2005 -- in which she tells her mother she was drugged and molested about a year earlier -- is hearsay and shouldn't be allowed.

Both Constand and her mom, Gianna, testified about the call during Cosby's first trial ... which ended in a mistrial.

Stephen Belafonte has asked a judge to essentially order his daughter into therapy to deprogram her from Mel B's campaign of hate.

Belafonte says Mel B has poisoned 6-year-old Madison with lies about him, making outrageous statements to the child, including putting in her head that Stephen was abusive to her sister, Angel. Belafonte points to a letter purportedly written by Angel saying she was scared of him, but the letter uses adult language such as "witnessing physical abuse," and "attempting to fake sleep." He says Mel B wrote the letter.

He also says it's Mel B's M.O. to alienate children from their fathers. He says during their marriage, she had a consistent plan to alienate her oldest daughter, Phoenix, from her biological father.

Stephen also says Mel B made an outrageous claim that he gave Madison medicine that made her throw up. He says all he gave her was Children's Tylenol.

Stephen wants the judge to order Madison into therapy to shield her from the acrimony surrounding the divorce and presumably deprogram her from what he says are Mel B's lies.

A woman who had to flee that Harlem building that went up in flames during a movie shoot is suing director Ed Norton's production company for misleading her during the blaze.

The woman says she was in her apartment when the fire started last week in the building's basement, but according to her lawsuit ... someone from the production team for the film -- "Motherless Brooklyn" -- told her it had been extinguished.

That was not the case -- as we reported, more than 200 firefighters responded to the five alarm blaze before it was finally knocked down early Friday morning.

In the suit, she ended up having to "run for her life" down dark stairways, engulfed in smoke ... and feared she would die in the inferno.

She made it out safely, but she says all her belongings were destroyed, including grad school text books, jewelry, her child's artwork and all her forms of personal ID.

Norton is directing the movie and co-starring with Bruce Willis. Officials have not determined if the production is responsible for starting the fire, which killed one firefighter.

Venus Williams' cell phone records from the fatal car accident remain under wraps, because AT&T won't give up the goods ... TMZ Sports has learned.

Attorneys for Jerome Barson's estate are trying to put the heat on Venus' cell phone carrier, because according to docs, they first subpoenaed AT&T back in January ... but have yet to get any action.

Barson died from his injuries after his sedan smashed into Venus' SUV last June in Palm Beach Gardens, FL. Cops cleared Venus criminally, saying she was "caught in the middle" of the intersection, but the Barsons' attorney, Gary Iscoe, wants to make sure she wasn't on her phone and distracted at the time.

As we first reported, there's surveillance video of Venus approaching the intersection -- just seconds before the accident -- but it's unclear if she's on the phone.

Tommy Lee has changed his tone over his son, Brandon Lee, 'cause he now wants nothing but reconciliation between father and son ... but it may be too late.

Sources close to Tommy tell TMZ he and his fiancee, Brittany Furlan, saw the message Brandon delivered to his father through our photog ... that he loves his dad, and wants to make amends.

We're told that struck a chord with Tommy, to the point that he now simply wants peace with his boy ... and that he's now unsure if he still wants Brandon prosecuted in his looming battery case. As we reported ... the case is being sent to the D.A.'s Office soon.

Even if Tommy does change his mind, it may not be up to him to drop the charges. The decision on whether to prosecute is out of his hands once the case is sent to the D.A.'s desk -- they'll decide whether to move forward or not.

Still, sources say Tommy thought what Brandon said was "very sweet" and that he, of course, loves his son as well.

Abby Lee Miller has gone from the big house to a halfway house for her last couple of months of incarceration ... TMZ has learned.

Law enforcement sources tell us Abby has been transferred from the Victorville, CA prison where she's been since last July. She's now at a facility called the Residential Reentry Center. You could say she's in the homestretch -- she's scheduled to be released May 25.

We're told the facility will provide the "Dance Moms" star with a safe, structured and supervised environment where she'll be given employment counseling, job placement and financial management assistance. Something tells us Abby will have no problem finding a TV gig when she gets out.

Abby was indicted on 20 counts of fraud after prosecutors say she hid $755,000 in income from the government. She was sentenced to a year in federal prison.

Prison's definitely changed Abby, at least physically. She's said to have dropped 100 pounds since entering the pen last July.

12:15 PM PT -- Boykin released the following statement:

"I understand the Seahawks decision to release me. The story that was reported casts a bad light on the organization and on me.

I want to be clear that the story is false. The police have taken statements from the accuser, another witness and me. All of these statements confirm that I was not involved in the physical altercation.

This woman has lied about me and it has cost me my job. I know guilt by association is real. This person has fabricated a story and I am suffering the consequences.

I will let the legal system run its course and I know I will be vindicated."

10:23 AM PT -- The Seahawks just announced they've cut Trevone Boykin.

Trevone Boykin is being investigated by police for allegedly breaking his girlfriend's jaw ... TMZ Sports has learned.

Cops in Mansfield, Texas tell us they are investigating Boykin, 24, for allegedly severely injuring his longtime girlfriend, Shabrika Bailey, during a physical altercation last week.

The Seahawks QB and Bailey have dated for years.

Bailey talked to WFAA in Texas ... telling them her and Boykin were arguing over a text message when he started to choke her. She says she lost consciousness ... before waking up in a pool of her blood.

She says Boykin eventually took her to a hospital ... but fled the scene when the hospital staff questioned her about the injuries.

Law enforcement sources tell us they expect Boykin to be charged with aggravated assault -- a felony. however, there is not currently a warrant out for his arrest.

This isn't Boykin's first time in trouble with the law ... he was charged with assault after getting in a bar fight in 2015 -- 2 days before he was supposed to play in the Alamo Bowl.

He ended up getting a year probation in that case.

Warren Sapp says the battery lawsuit filed against him is a "sham" ... and he's asking a judge to throw out the suit, and slap the woman with a cash penalty.

We broke the story ... Sapp was sued in Florida by Paula Trickey, a woman who accused the HOF'er of drunkenly running her over at a Super Bowl party in 2015 ... severely injuring her.

Sapp -- who's long denied being the one who hurt Trickey -- has formally responded to the accusations ... claiming the DT wasn't even at the party where the woman was hurt.

Sapp's lawyer, Michael Christine, asked the court to declare the suit a "sham" -- essentially a case that is clearly false, and without merit -- and throw it out.

12:35 PM PT -- William Strampel bonded out, and is no longer in custody.

11:50 AM PT -- Strampel appeared before a judge in East Lansing, Michigan where bond was set at $25K. As a bond condition, Strampel is not permitted to travel out-of-state. He's also not allowed to contact alleged victims or witnesses in his case.

Strampel has not yet posted bond, or been released.

He's due back in court in April 23.

Larry Nassar's longtime boss at Michigan State was arrested and thrown in jail Monday night in Michigan ... and he's facing a felony charge for criminal sexual conduct.

William Strampel, 70, was the dean of the College of Osteopathic Medicine from 2002 to 2017... a period of time that saw Nassar abuse hundreds of women and girls in his capacity as the doctor for MSU as well as Team USA gymnastics.

Strampel is currently in Ingham County Jail in Michigan.

According to court docs, Strampel is facing 4 charges including 4th degree criminal sexual conduct with force or coercion, and willful neglect of duty -- a misdemeanor.

The arraignment for Strampel is scheduled for 2:30 PM local time Tuesday.

XXXTentacion's demons are coming back to haunt him in a resurfaced video of him smacking a girl in the head ... this just on the heels of him being released from house arrest.

An old video of XXX is making the rounds online, which shows him dancing behind a girl filming herself ... and then hitting her on the side of her head before the camera cuts out.

Law enforcement sources tell TMZ, prosecutors in XXX's domestic violence case are reviewing the video -- which appears to be old based on his hair style. It's unclear how it might affect his case in light of a judge recently letting him out of the house to tour.

As for XXX ... his attorney, Jaclyn Broudy, tells us it's clear from the video that her client and the girl are friends and "the video was taken completely in jest." She also points out the footage is dated ... and that XXX is a changed person, even though some people are still trying to harm him by releasing an old video that she says shows nothing.

The adorable twins on "Big Little Lies" are already big shots when it comes to negotiating sweet deals in Hollywood.

Cameron and Nicholas Crovetti were barely 7 years old back in 2015 when they each landed their roles on 'BLL' and each scored a $50k payout for season 1 ... this according to docs obtained by TMZ.

Cameron and Nicholas -- now 10 years old -- play Josh and Max Wright ... the twin sons of Nicole Kidman and Alexander Skarsgård's characters. Before landing a role on the hit HBO show, their only other on-screen work had been a brief appearance on "Black-ish."

"Big Little Lies" just started filming season 2, and the twins should know ... it's never too soon to request a massive raise.

A lesson for costumed character enthusiasts -- if you hijack Nickelodeon's "Paw Patrol" characters ... they'll sic their legal dogs on your ass.

Nickelodeon's parent company, Viacom, is suing Hearrt Events for allegedly stealing its lovable animated characters from "Paw Patrol" and using 'em for furry mascots that get booked for meet and greets with kiddos.

In the docs, obtained by TMZ, Viacom says Hearrt hosts events where kids, or more likely their parents, pay $20 to "meet" the "Paw Patrol" squad, and get a photo with 'em. You can even get an autographed "paw print."

Viacom says the events co. isn't just using Ryder and his puppy pals' images without permission -- it's also selling unauthorized "Paw Patrol" merch at their events.

The media company wants a judge to shut down Hearrt's operation, and, of course, to award damages. We've reached out to Hearrt Events, but no word back.

Stormy Daniels has just amended her lawsuit against Michael Cohen and is now suing him for defamation.

According to the amended lawsuit, obtained by TMZ, the basis for the new claim is Cohen's statement, "Just because something isn't true doesn't mean that it can't cause you harm or damage."

Daniels' lawyer, Michael Avenatti, says in the lawsuit, "It was reasonably understood Mr. Cohen meant to convey that Ms. Clifford is a liar, someone who should not be trusted, and that her claims about her relationship with Mr. Trump is 'something [that] isn't true.'"

Avenatti says Cohen's statement subjected her to physical threats of violence to her person and life, as well as hatred, contempt, ridicule, and shame.

She's seeking both actual and punitive damages.

The new complaint also seeks to keep the lawsuit against Donald Trump in the courts. As you know, Avenatti is trying to get the confidentiality agreement Daniels signed invalidated and Trump wants the matter handled privately in arbitration. The amended lawsuit specifically asks the judge to rule no arbitration agreement was agreed upon.

DMX is name-dropping former NBA star, and ex-con, Jayson Williams in his attempt to get leniency when a judge sentences him for tax evasion ... TMZ has learned.

DMX filed docs ahead of Wednesday's sentencing which include a letter to the judge laying out their plan to keep him on the straight and narrow. According to the letter, Jayson has offered DMX entry into his rehab program called the Rebound Institute.

The rapper's legal teams says Jayson reached out to them, believing the faith-based center is exactly what DMX needs. According to docs, the rehab program runs a minimum of 45 days, and includes drug testing 3 days a week.

Williams -- who infamously got 5 years for the shooting death of a limo driver -- says other famous athletes help out with the program. He mentions an NFL Hall of Fame running back and an NBA All-Star ... although their names have been redacted for their privacy.

It's unclear if DMX plans to choose Jayson's program ... he says he's gotten several offers from treatment facilities.

The rehab issue could be moot. As we reported, federal prosecutors have recommended the judge throw the book at X and give him 5 years in prison.

NFL player Jeremy Lane just copped a plea deal in his January DUI case ... pleading guilty to reckless driving, TMZ Sports has learned.

As we previously reported, Lane was initially stopped for driving 80 mph in a 60 mph zone on January 14. When cops pulled Lane over, he had admitted to smoking weed 3 hours earlier.

At the time of the arrest, Lane had told cops he was worried people would think he was drunk, saying "This time I was more high than anything."

The 27-year-old was initially charged with DUI on March 12 ... but has now agreed to the lesser reckless driving charge.

Lane -- a current free agent after he was released by the Seattle Seahawks earlier this month --could be sentenced to up to 364 days in jail, but it's unlikely he'll do any time at all. He can also be forced to cough up a maximum fine of $5,000.

The WWE just climbed the top rope in court and is ready to drop the elbow ... all to protect its brand ahead of WrestleMania 34.

The World Wrestling Entertainment Inc. just filed legal docs in Louisiana against anonymous makers of unauthorized WWE merch with the org's biggest event just weeks ahead in New Orleans at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome and Smoothie King Center.

In docs, obtained by TMZ, the WWE wants a temporary restraining order to ban bootleggers from selling unauthorized souvenirs and memorabilia bearing WWE trademarks.