First, The NY Supreme Court informed Merchan of the finding, this wasn't Merchan fessing up.
Judge Merchan is one of the judges at one of the New York Supreme Courts which, in New York, are trial courts at the bottom rung of the judicial hierarchy.
The appellate court directly over Merchan is the First Department in Manhattan which has jurisdiction over the counties of New York (borough of Manhattan) and the Bronx.
This came to Judge Merchan from the Fourth Department, upstate in Rochester.
He will declare a mistrial and a new trial will start next week. 2 more months of Donald in court.