The judge orders a clearance in the Trump trial proceedings.
The Trump trial concerning allegedly undisclosed hush money is nearing its end. In a final push, the defense lawyers are striving to discredit the prosecution's primary witness. An ex-attorney vindicates the defendant, causing friction with the judge.
The trial pertaining to former US President Donald Trump in respect to hush money compensation given to a porn star is approaching its conclusion. Judge Juan Merchan became irate during the interrogation of defense witness Robert Costello in New York after he seemed to challenge Merchan's rulings. Costello, appointed to make the essential witness Michael Cohen seem unreliable, replied to a number of queries that Merchan had previously allowed the prosecution's protestation.
The judge instructed the witness - who is a lawyer himself - that he was not allowed to respond in these circumstances. Costello subsequently exclaimed "Jeesh" - synthesized as "Oh my God" - in response to a veto that was upheld. Merchan then had the jurors withdrawn from the courtroom and informed Trump confidant Costello: "I wish to discuss proper conduct in my courtroom." He banned comments on his decisions.
When Costello persisted with glaring at the judge, Merchan exclaimed angrily: "Are you staring me down?" He then had the courtroom evacuated - aided by loud and terse guidance from the court personnel. Journalists and onlookers were allowed to re-enter room 1530 following a brief intermission and the inquiry proceeded.
Former federal prosecutor Costello is pertinent to the case because he has been a persistent adversary of the Trump confidant since the pair's remarkable split. Costello testified that Cohen had no knowledge of the hush money payment to the adult film actress. "Michael Cohen has repeatedly stated that President Trump was not aware of these payments and that he undertook this on his own, and he has repeated this multiple times," Costello informed the jury.
Costello offered to defend Cohen shortly after his residence, office, and hotel room were searched and Cohen was presented with the option to cooperate with law enforcement in the hopes of leniency in the face of the legal investigation.
Expected closing arguments soon?
The trial against Trump is rapidly drawing to a close. Prior to the commotion, the prosecution declared post-examination of principal witness Michael Cohen that they will not be calling any more witnesses. Trump counsel Todd Blanche predicted that the ensuing interrogation of defense witnesses could be completed within one day of the hearing.
This could be succeeded by the closing arguments - Judge Merchan proposed Monday of the following week as a possible date - and the jury's deliberations towards a verdict. Officials have not specified a time limit for the deliberations, but juries typically deliberate for a few hours to a few days. If found guilty, Judge Merchan would establish the sentence. Trump faces several years in prison, which could also be deferred, or a fine.
The prosecution implicates Trump of attempting to augment his prospects in the 2016 presidential election by awarding 130,000 dollars to porn actress Daniels. Despite the payment itself - which has been undisputed by both parties - the 77-year-old is alleged to have forged documents when returning the total to his then personal attorney Cohen in order to mask the true objective of the transaction. This made the donations deceptive campaign funding. The case against a former president is an unprecedented occurrence in the history of the United States.
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Despite the prosecution's decision not to call further witnesses, the defense is tasked with presenting their case, hoping to wrap up their presentation within a day. This could potentially lead to the closing arguments, possibly scheduled for the following week by Judge Merchan.
Given the unprecedented nature of the trial, allegations of corruption surrounding former President Donald Trump's involvement in hush money payments to a porn star have raised significant concerns about processes of justice. The potential consequences, including possible prison time or fines, underscore the gravity of these judicial proceedings.
Source: www.ntv.de
