Press
After Michael Cohen had already testified against Trump, the behavior of a new witness and Trump ally now forced the judge to take an unconventional measure.
New York – In the hush money trial against the former US President Donald Trump There was a scandal during a meeting of the responsible court in New York: the responsible judge, Juan Merchan, was forced to vacate the court for a short time.
The evacuation of the courtroom was preceded by the misconduct of lawyer Robert Costello, who had been called to the stand by the defense as a witness for the defense. Costello had previously repeatedly and loudly expressed his disagreement with decisions made by Judge Juan Merchan. During his questioning, he made several asides and continued speaking even though Judge Merchan had previously granted the prosecution’s objections, reported the news agency Associated Press (AP).
“Are you staring me down?”: Judge explodes in Trump’s hush money trial and clears the courtroom
At one point, Costello said, audibly annoyed, “Jeez” (as in, “Good grief”) when the judge allowed an objection. Merchan then ordered court security to escort the jurors out of the room and addressed the Trump ally on the witness stand: “I want to talk about decorum in my courtroom,” he told Costello.
The judge emphasized that he would not comment on his decisions. “They don’t give me a sideways look or roll their eyes,” said the visibly angry Merchan. Because the Trump ally kept an eye on the judge in charge with a serious expression and a fixed gaze, Merchan vented his anger at Costello’s behavior: “Are you staring me down?” the judge exploded at Costello.
Merchan then ordered security personnel to temporarily clear the courtroom. As the AP Based on a transcript of the conversation, which took place when the press was not in the room, Merchan reportedly addressed Costello as follows: “I point out to you that your behavior is condescending. If you try to stare me down again, I will remove you from the witness stand.”
Judge rebukes witness in Trump hush money trial: ‘This is not entertainment’
Judge Merchan then addressed Emil Bove, the Trump defense lawyer, who questioned the witness. “I will delete his entire statement; “Do you understand me?” Merchan said in a threatening tone. “Yes, Judge. “I understand,” replied Bove.
Merchan then tried to get Costello to shorten his answers and not get lost in long-winded narratives about his interactions with Cohen that were clearly aimed at casting doubt on Trump’s ex-lawyer. “Listen to the question and answer it,” Merchan urged. But Costello remained stubborn and asked again to be allowed to make a statement. “No. No. This is not entertainment,” Merchan reprimanded him.
The current trial against former US President Trump is about money that former Trump confidant Michael Cohen paid to porn actress Stormy Daniels in 2016. Before Costello was called to the witness stand, the prosecution had called Cohen as a key witness. He had already placed a heavy burden on his former boss Trump during the process last week.
Trump defense wants to make Cohen appear implausible through new witness statements
According to Cohen’s account, he paid Daniels hush money to keep her from disclosing details of an alleged sexual encounter with Trump during the 2016 election campaign. Trump is said to have later reimbursed Cohen for a total of $130,000. Trump is also accused of falsifying business documents in order to conceal the purpose of the payment to Cohen. It can be assumed that the defense now wants to make Cohen’s statements appear unbelievable by questioning Cohen’s former legal advisor Costello. Further questioning of Costello is expected on Tuesday. (fh)
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