Prosecutors Conclude Case Against Trump, Judge Merchan Explodes at Witness
Prosecutors concluded their case against former President Donald Trump, leading to a dramatic courtroom moment as Judge Merchan erupted at a witness for disrespectful behavior, causing chaos in the courtroom.
NEW YORK — Prosecutors rested their case against former president Donald Trump on Monday, marking a pivotal moment in the month-long trial. However, the proceedings quickly took a dramatic turn when Judge Juan Merchan erupted at a witness, accusing him of being disrespectful.
Defense Lawyers' Strategy and Unexpected Turn of Events
Initially, the day appeared to be winding down as defense lawyers signaled they did not plan to call Trump as a witness. They anticipated concluding their case within a few hours. This plan was disrupted when their second witness, lawyer Robert Costello, provoked the judge's ire.
“Are you staring me down right now?” Judge Merchan asked incredulously of Costello, an outspoken critic of the case filed against Trump by the Manhattan district attorney. The judge then ordered the courtroom to be cleared.
Chaos in the Courtroom
The sudden command caused chaos as court officers ordered reporters to leave, and reporters protested vocally. This outburst was unprecedented in the otherwise steady-paced trial. Merchan, usually soft-spoken even in anger, had never erupted in such a manner before.
The confrontation began after Trump's lawyers called Costello to counter Michael Cohen's testimony. Cohen, a crucial witness for the prosecution, had testified over four days that he arranged a $130,000 payment to adult-film actress Stormy Daniels in 2016 at Trump’s direction.
Costello's Testimony and the Judge's Reaction
Costello, intended to discredit Cohen, instead found himself clashing with Judge Merchan. The judge bristled as Costello repeatedly answered questions ruled improper, showing clear frustration.
At one point, Costello muttered “jeez” after an objection from prosecutors was sustained, further irritating the judge. Merchan then accused Costello of contemptuous behavior, leading to a temporary clearing of the courtroom.
Merchan's Stern Warning
Judge Merchan sternly warned Costello about courtroom decorum, emphasizing that only he could strike testimony and reprimanding the lawyer for showing disrespect.
Despite the warning, Costello's behavior did not improve, prompting the judge to threaten to remove him from the stand and strike his testimony if the conduct continued. The situation culminated in a temporary expulsion of most of the public from the courtroom.
Responses and Reactions
Following the incident, members of Trump's entourage, including several Republican congressmen and Trump's son, Eric Trump, were allowed to stay in the courtroom.
Trump criticized the judge outside the courtroom, calling him “a tyrant” and describing the trial as “a disaster for our country.”
"I've never seen anything like it in my life," Trump said. "It's a disaster for New York State, New York City."
Trial Developments and Key Testimonies
The trial day started with debates over whether the jury should see a photo of Trump with his bodyguard at a critical time related to Cohen's testimony. The call in question is a pivotal point of contention, with Cohen asserting he discussed the hush money deal with Trump, while the defense argues it was about a minor security issue.
Michael Cohen's Cross-Examination
Defense attorney Todd Blanche pressed Cohen on alleged inconsistencies, focusing on how a $130,000 reimbursement from Trump ballooned to $420,000. Cohen explained that part of the money was to cover other expenses, including hiring a company to boost Trump's standing in a CNBC poll.
Cohen admitted to pocketing $30,000 from the reimbursement, citing it as compensation for a reduced year-end bonus from the Trump Organization. The defense also suggested Cohen had a financial interest in the case’s outcome, which Cohen partially acknowledged.
Prosecution's Final Questions
Prosecutor Susan Hoffinger aimed to mitigate any damage caused by the defense's questioning. She asked Cohen if he would have paid Daniels without Trump's authorization, to which Cohen replied, “No, ma’am.”
Hoffinger emphasized that Cohen was not on trial and had no charges in this case, reinforcing his role as a witness.
Conclusion and Next Steps
As the trial proceeds, the defense and prosecution prepare for closing arguments and deliberations, scheduled after Memorial Day. The courtroom drama and intense testimonies continue to captivate public attention, with significant implications for Trump's legal and political future.
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