“I did not want to draw attention to it. But given the parameters of the court’s prior ruling and the way that they went through that, I think that was improper to elicit, and nonresponsive,”
Well first of all, Sean, as I once heard a judge say, "Just because it hurts your client's case does not mean it is 'prejudicial.'
Secondly, you have to make timely objections.
At least that's the usual requirement. Or used to be.
Looks like this judge is already working on the appeals process.
They should appeal this ruling using that exact quote:
“Just because it hurts your client’s case does not mean it is ‘prejudicial.’”
Prejudicing their defense is the purpose of prosecution.