NEW YORK — An angry Judge Juan Murchan evacuated his Manhattan courtroom of jurors, spectators and press on Monday afternoon after he reprimanded a key witness for Donald Trump’s defense after he made angry comments about the judge’s decisions. Was done.
The fireworks came shortly after prosecutors completed their case in Trump’s historic hush money criminal trial.
Attorney Robert Costello muttered “Oh my God!” After Merchan received several objections from the prosecution to his testimony. When Merchan asked Costello about his violation of basic court etiquette, Costello asked the court stenographer to “expunge” him from the record – something only a judge has the authority to do.
Merchan excused the jury and began scolding Costello, a former federal prosecutor and veteran defense attorney, then asked, “Are you staring at me right now?” After this the judge ordered to vacate the entire court room for a short time.
Costello is a key defense witness. Trump’s former lawyer Michael Cohen testified that Costello tried to act as a mediator between him and Trump after the FBI raided Cohen’s office in 2018.
Prepare for the election: Find out who is running for president and compare where they stand on key issues in our voter guide
Trump, the first former President to face criminal charges, is accused of falsifying business records to hide money he gave to porn star Stormy Daniels before the 2016 election.
Costello will return to the stand Tuesday, with no specific word on whether Trump himself will testify.
Here are Monday’s most important developments from inside and outside the Manhattan courtroom:
Trump says ‘never seen anything like’ judge’s scolding of witness Costello
Former President Donald Trump criticized Judge Juan Marchan’s treatment of a witness, Robert Costello, in his money trial in New York, but he held himself back from detailing his criticism due to a gag order preventing him from commenting on witnesses. Found unable.
Trump said of Merchan, “I’ve never seen anything like it in my life. I saw what happened in that courtroom.” We hope that the motion to dismiss this lawsuit will be granted because this lawsuit is a disaster for our country.
Merchan scolded Costello for disputing the decision, saying “Oh my God!” from the witness stand, and for saying “kill him” instead of the judge – his words were erased from the trial record. Merchan then asked if Costello was staring at him and ordered the courtroom cleared of spectators and reporters.
“You saw what happened to Bob Costello, a respected lawyer,” Trump said. “I’ve never seen anything like it before. He’s very respected.”
“The press is not happy, I can’t imagine,” Trump said. “He was simply escorted out of the courtroom.”
‘It’s disrespectful’: How Trump witness peeved the judge
Former Manhattan prosecutor Diana Florence said defense witness Robert Costello’s boorish behavior on the witness stand was “extraordinary” after Judge Juan Marchan ordered the courtroom cleared Monday afternoon in response to Costello’s comments from the witness stand.
Costello appeared annoyed by the number of prosecution objections to his testimony, which the judge was upholding.
“If the judge says ‘pro’, in your mind you may think he’s wrong, but you shouldn’t comment. It’s disrespectful,” Florence said, noting that attorneys are often difficult witnesses at trial. .
Florence said Judge Marchen’s decision to evacuate the courtroom during Costello’s testimony was equally strange. Generally, the judge does not order the jury to leave before warning the witness.
She speculated that Merchan’s decision may indicate that “there is some secret going on with Costello that both sides know about, and that we don’t know about.”
Monday proceedings end without decision on Trump request to dismiss case
Prosecutor Matthew Colangelo responded forcefully to pleas from Trump attorney Todd Blanche for Judge Juan Marchan to take the case out of the jury’s hands and dismiss it.
After a brief spat between Colangelo and Blanche, Merchant declared the day’s proceedings closed. He indicated that he would take a decision later.
Judge skeptical as Trump lawyer says Cohen testimony should be tossed
In addition to the three reasons given by Trump’s lawyer Todd Blanche for dismissing the case against the former president, Blanche also said that Michael Cohen’s role in the case was another reason to dismiss the entire indictment.
“There is no way the court would allow this case to go to a jury relying on Mr. Cohen’s testimony,” said Blanch.
“Without Mr. Cohen, there is no case,” Blanche continued. He added: “Not only has he lied repeatedly in the past under oath, he has also lied in this courtroom.”
Blanch pointed to Cohen’s testimony at the trial about a phone call with Trump’s bodyguard in which Cohen said he had discussed paying Stormy Daniels with Trump. During questioning, Blanch showed Cohen text messages indicating that he had been chatting with the bodyguard about some disturbing phone calls. Cohen responded that he believed he also talked to Trump about a hush money payment during the call.
“So you’re asking me to find out that Mr. Cohen is not legally credible?” Marchan asked, doubt evident in his voice about taking this decision out of the jury’s hands. “Yes,” replied Blanche.
Trump lawyer says judge should dismiss case for three reasons
Trump’s attorney Todd Blanche urged Judge Marchen to dismiss the prosecution’s case. Blanche gave three reasons for doing so:
- First, Blanch said, the business records involved in this case were not actually false. He said there is no dispute that Michael Cohen provided legal services to Trump in 2017, based on how payments to Cohen were described in those records.
- Second, Blanch said, there is no evidence that Trump intended to commit fraud when it comes to business records, which is an element of the charges that prosecutors must prove. If there was intent to defraud, the records would have described services different from those actually provided, Blanch said.
- Third, Blanch said the records do not include any crimes, a key element of charging Trump with a felony. In particular, Blanch said, the agreement between Trump, Cohen and a tabloid publisher to censor bad stories about Trump before the 2016 election is not evidence of criminal intent.
Jury dismissed until tomorrow but lawyers stay for arguments
Judge Juan Merchan excused jurors for the rest of the day. However, lawyers remained to address legal issues.
The defense’s key witness, Robert Costello, is scheduled to return to the witness stand Tuesday morning. Prosecutor Susan Hoffinger is going to continue questioning him.
‘He was putting on quite a show’: Costello on Cohen discussing suicide
Prosecutor Susan Hovinger begins questioning Costello. Costello told him he had been a criminal defense attorney for 40 or 50 years. She asked him to confirm that, in light of that experience, he could understand the extent of the trauma that a person experiences when facing criminal charges. He said he understands that.
“But you thought she was a drama queen, right?” Hoffinger asked Costello, speaking about Michael Cohen.
“He was performing brilliantly,” Costello said. Costello described Cohen as saying that he was on the roof of the Regency Hotel and was going to commit suicide by jumping because he could not handle the constant stress of the criminal case.
Costello denies pressure campaign against Cohen
Under questioning by Trump’s lawyer Emile Boff, Robert Costello testified that he treated Michael Cohen as a client and that he had Cohen’s best interests in mind when Donald Trump’s then-aide was under federal investigation. was kept. He also denied running a pressure campaign on Cohen so that he would not turn against Trump.
Reporters allowed back into courtroom as Costello testimony continues
Robert Costello has resumed his testimony after what appears to have been a private dressing-down by Judge Juan Merchan. The judge has sustained multiple further objections to his testimony, and instructed Costello to restrict his answers to the question Trump lawyer Emil Bove is asking.
‘Are you staring me down right now?’: Judge clears courtroom after fiery reproach of witness
After the jury was escorted out of the courtroom, Judge Merchan told Costello: “I would like to discuss proper etiquette in my courtroom.” “Correct,” said Costello.
Marchen added: “If you don’t like my decision, don’t say: ‘Oh my God!'”
Costello, an experienced attorney, reminds Costello that he is not even allowed to say “kill it”, because Marchant is the only person in the courtroom who has the authority to testify. Merchan also noted that Costello was rolling his eyes.
“do you understand that?” Marchan asked Costello, who was sitting six feet from the judge in the witness stand to the judge’s left.
Marchant said to Costello in a heated tone: “Are you staring at me now?”
The judge then ordered, “Please vacate the courtroom. Please vacate the courtroom.” Court security officers then forced all reporters out of the courtroom, so Merchan could berate Costello outside our presence.
‘Geez!’ ‘Sorry?’: Testy exchange between judge and Trump witness in front of jurors
Before the jurors were escorted out of the courtroom, and later reporters were escorted out of the courtroom, Judge Marchen had a heated exchange with Costello.
When Costello said on the witness stand “Oh my God!” So Marchan faced several objections from prosecutor Susan Hovinger. In a normal voice – but in an angry tone.
Then Marchan said warmly: “Excuse me?” “I’m sorry?” To Costello. Costello then said, “Kill him,” apparently referring to his testimony being expunged from the court record.
Costello continued to testify, then appeared to sigh dramatically after another objection. Merchan then escorted the jurors out of the courtroom.
Judge clears the courtroom after fiery exchange with Trump witness Costello
Judge Juan Merchan evacuated the courtroom after Trump got into a heated exchange with witness Robert Costello.
‘I swear to God, Bob, I don’t have anything on Donald Trump’
Costello, a former federal prosecutor in Manhattan, began testifying. He said Michael Cohen had previously told him: “I swear to God, Bob, I don’t have nothing on Donald Trump.”
Costello also quoted Cohen as saying, “I don’t understand why they’re trying to put me in jail on some (expletive) nondisclosure agreement.” (NDA is a non-disclosure agreement.)
Costello said Cohen told him “many times” that he did it alone – an apparent reference to the secret money deals surrounding Donald Trump.
Cohen previously testified that he never told Costello the truth about Trump’s involvement in hush money deals.
Who is Robert Costello?
Robert Costello is a Republican lawyer who has worked in Trump’s circles, advising Steve Bannon and Rudy Giuliani.
Cohen previously testified that he found Costello to be a “superficial” person who suggested he serve as a back channel to Trump while he was in the White House. Costello and Cohen discussed a power of attorney agreement and a presidential pardon, but to no avail.
Costello previously testified before a New York grand jury on Trump’s behalf in the case, saying Cohen was “intent on revenge.”
Judge gives defense ‘some latitude’ in Costello testimony
Judge Juan Merchan immediately returned to the courtroom and instructed what testimony the defense could get from the next witness, attorney Robert Costello.
Merchan said that Trump’s attorney, Emile Boff, could question Costello about two previous incriminating statements to Michael Cohen, and that the judge would also give Boff “some leeway” to explore Cohen’s claim that Trump threatened him. Engaged in a “pressure campaign” to dissuade them from cooperating. With the investigators. After the FBI raided his office.
However, the judge said he would not allow testimony about the alleged pressure campaign and how it affected Cohen to become a trial within a trial. Merchan also said that he would not allow Costello to testify about the “retainer issue”. This may be a reference to Cohen’s testimony that he never signed the agreement to retain Costello as an attorney.
Judge Merchan leaves courtroom briefly as he mulls Costello testimony
After hearing arguments from the prosecution and defense, Judge Merchan left the courtroom but asked everyone present in the courtroom to stay. It appears he is considering whether and how to restrict the testimony of attorney Robert Costello, called as a witness by the defense.
Jury excused as prosecution challenges potential Costello testimony
Judge Juan Merchan excused the jury briefly to hear arguments from the prosecution and defense regarding Robert Costello, who had not yet taken the witness stand. The prosecution challenges the admissibility of Costello’s testimony.
Defense calls lawyer Robert Costello to testify
The Trump defense team has called lawyer Robert Costello to the witness stand.
Sitko steps down as defense witness
Prosecutor Rebecca Mangold asked Danielle Sitko, a paralegal in defense attorney Todd Blanch’s office, a few brief questions about the summary of the call she had prepared. The summary is displayed. Some of the calls involved were between Michael Cohen and Robert Costello. Costello is the lawyer to whom Cohen testified that he tried to establish a back channel of communication with Trump through Rudy Giuliani.
Sitko has now ruled himself out as a witness.
Prosecution cross-examines Trump defense paralegal
Defense attorney Todd Blanche ended his questioning of Sitko quickly, which seemed only aimed at getting the call summary Sitko prepared admitted into evidence. Prosecutor Rebecca Mangold is now cross-examining Sitko.
Trump defense paralegal testifying on phone calls
The Trump defense team has called their first witness: Daniel Sitko, a paralegal in Todd Blanche’s law firm. Sitko is testifying about a phone call summary he created.
Prosecution rests its case
Trump’s attorney Todd Blanche asked Cohen during a brief retrial whether it was Trump’s fault for losing his law license.
“Partly,” Cohen replied. He confirmed that he pleaded guilty to a tax offense and making false statements to a bank, which are crimes that do not involve providing services to Trump. But Cohen said he lost his license for all the crimes he admitted to committing, including campaign finance violations and lying to Congress regarding Trump.
Shortly thereafter, Blanche finished asking questions, and the prosecution rested its case.
‘My entire life has been turned upside down’: Cohen ends redirect testimony
Prosecutor Susan Hoffinger asked Cohen how breaking from Trump has affected him.
“My entire life has been turned upside down as a direct result,” Cohen said. “I lost my law license, my businesses, my financial security.”
It sounded like Cohen’s voice might be cracking a little, although I didn’t see any sign of tears on his face.
Trump appeared to be looking ahead for the most part during that testimony, but he made a side glance in Cohen’s direction, before turning his eyes ahead again.
Jury hears audio recording of Cohen pondering breaking from Trump ‘doctrine’
Prosecutor Susan Hoefinger played an audio recording of Michael Cohen speaking with Stormy Daniels’ former attorney Keith Davidson for the jury.
“What would you do if you were me?” Cohen asked on the recording. “I mean, are you going to write a book? Are you going to completely deconstruct the Trump thing, you know, and we’ll call it a ‘cult’? Are you going to go completely rogue ?” Cohen asked.
Cohen continued in the recording: “Do you have any ideas? Because now I’m not the only one affected, but my whole family is affected.” “Nobody thinks about Michael,” Cohen said.
Cohen continued, “I’m sitting there and I say, ‘What about me?’
‘No doubt’ Trump gave instruction on hush money payment: Cohen
Cohen testified that he had “no doubt” that he had a conversation with Trump in which Trump instructed him to work with Allen Weisselberg on how to pay porn star Stormy Daniels. At that time, Weisselberg was the chief financial officer of the Trump Organization.
Jurors see image of Trump with bodyguard on Oct. 24, 2016
The jury was returned to the courtroom and Michael Cohen resumed testifying. Prosecutor Susan Hoefinger provided still photos which the defense team agreed to allow, without requiring the C-Span employee to come and testify first. Cohen confirmed that the photo showed Trump with his bodyguard at the time, Keith Schiller. Hoffinger read aloud the agreement between the two parties that the photo was taken at 7:57 p.m. On 24 October 2016.
