Too bad there were no cameras in the courtroom.
FROM SUSIE MOORE’s REPORT ... read it full here :
The bottom line is this: The prosecution needs Cohen’s testimony to make their (already highly suspect) case against Trump. But not only is Cohen a known and proven liar with an unmistakable axe to grind, he was caught playing fast and loose with the facts in this very matter. He’s the person least deserving of being cut any slack. Will that matter to the jury?
We may find out sooner than expected. As things wound down on Thursday afternoon and the attorneys advised the court of what witnesses and evidence they have left, it became apparent that evidence may be concluded as early as Monday. The defense expects to finish its cross-examination of Cohen on Monday morning.
The prosecution will have a brief redirect and does not plan to call any additional witnesses for its case-in-chief. The defense has not made a final determination as to whether Trump will testify (and, in my view, they’d be utter fools to put him on the stand given how things have gone).
Their only definite witness is an expert regarding the Federal Election Commission — and his testimony will be significantly restricted per the court’s prior rulings. Judge Juan Merchan advised the attorneys to be prepared to present their closing arguments on Tuesday if the testimony wraps on Monday.