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Michael Cohen’s ex-attorney contradicts Trump ‘fixer’s testimony, gets ripped by judge in fiery scene at hush money trial
https://nypost.com ^ | 5/20/2024 | Kyle Schnitzer and Ben Ko

Posted on 05/20/2024 3:53:11 PM PDT by bitt

An attorney who once represented Michael Cohen testified Monday that Donald Trump’s fixer-turned-foe had told him the ex-president “knew nothing” about the hush money payment to porn star Stormy Daniels — moments before irking the judge by rolling his eyes and muttering on the stand.

Robert “Bob” Costello, the second witness called by Trump’s lawyers at his Manhattan criminal trial, contradicted previous testimony by Cohen that the real estate mogul was aware of the deal to pay Daniels $130,000 to silence her story about having a tryst with him.

“Michael Cohen said numerous times that President Trump knew nothing about those payments, that he did this on his own, and he repeated that numerous times,” claimed Costello, a Trump ally who last week bashed the prosecution’s case in front of Congress.

Cohen also whined to him that “I don’t understand why they’re trying to put me in jail” over nondisclosure agreements, such as the one struck with Daniels, Costello, a former federal prosecutor in New York, added from the stand.

Tensions flared minutes later after Costello grew visibly peeved — muttering under his breath — after Manhattan Supreme Court Justice Juan Merchan sustained several objections from prosecutors to his testimony.

“Jeez,” he exclaimed at one point.

“I’m sorry?” the annoyed judge asked Costello twice.

It came after Trump attorney Emil Bove tried asking Costello about a conversation he had with Cohen around April 19 or 20 of 2018, and Costello said he couldn’t remember off the top of his head.

Prosecutors objected to the question, and Justice Merchan sustained the objection — which irked Costello and prompted the outburst.

The judge then excused the jury to lecture Costello about “proper decorum” inside his courtroom, telling him that if he doesn’t like a ruling, “you don’t say jeez.”

(Excerpt) Read more at nypost.com ...


TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; Extended News; Government; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: hushmoneytrial; juanmerchan; michaelcohen; robertbobcostello; robertcostello; trump; trumppersecution
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1 posted on 05/20/2024 3:53:11 PM PDT by bitt
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To: bitt

I’m still asking why no one mentions, that trump did not even sign the NDA. It should be brought up again and again.


2 posted on 05/20/2024 3:55:22 PM PDT by Sacajaweau
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To: null and void; aragorn; EnigmaticAnomaly; kalee; Kale; AZ .44 MAG; Baynative; bgill; bitt; ...

...’“If you don’t like my ruling, you don’t give me side eye and you don’t roll your eyes,” he said, before accusing the witness of staring him down.”

...more

also see

https://nypost.com/2024/05/20/us-news/trumps-hush-money-trial-live-updates-testimony-photos-more/

Trump’s ‘hush money’ trial live updates: Judge loses temper as Michael Cohen’s ex-lawyer testifies


3 posted on 05/20/2024 3:56:34 PM PDT by bitt (<img src=' 'width=30%>)
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To: bitt

Costello has nothing to lose by showing his contempt of this moronic judge.

Dismiss the case tomorrow. Save face.


4 posted on 05/20/2024 3:56:52 PM PDT by cyclotic (Don’t be part of the problem. Be the entire problem)
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To: bitt
I really think the judge is popping off because he's in a dilemma...and can't find a good path to follow. If he dismisses the case, the Dems will crucify him. If it goes to the jury, they SHOULD at least came back with a hung jury. If they acquit...that means the judge should have stopped it from even going to the jury.

But since 10 of them get their news from the NY Times...I doubt an acquittal is in order.

I never read the NYT or Wash Post.

5 posted on 05/20/2024 4:01:35 PM PDT by Sacajaweau
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To: bitt

They lose control of their tempers as their case crumbles.


6 posted on 05/20/2024 4:03:55 PM PDT by sport
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To: bitt

Not that I’m surprised, but is the judge testifying for the prosecution too?


7 posted on 05/20/2024 4:06:05 PM PDT by llevrok (“In a time of deceit telling, the truth is a revolutionary act.” ― George Orwell)
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To: bitt

The judge now has the public stature of a freshman in high
school who is shocked to find out the seniors don’t regard
him with the highest of respect.

He’s a little nervous dweeb.


8 posted on 05/20/2024 4:07:03 PM PDT by DoughtyOne (I pledge allegiance to the flag of the USofA & to the Constitutional REPUBLIC for which it stands. )
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To: Sacajaweau

I don’t understand

The judge has 2 options

1st option is to go to the jury ?
2nd option is for dismissal?

The jury comes back with either guilty , hung , innocent?

What are the most likely?


9 posted on 05/20/2024 4:09:11 PM PDT by forYourChildrenVote4Bush
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To: forYourChildrenVote4Bush

Ist option is dismissal...by Judge (The defense has already asked for that)

2nd option...goes to the jury.

They can hang, guilty, or not guilty.

hung jury most likely


10 posted on 05/20/2024 4:14:12 PM PDT by Sacajaweau
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To: DoughtyOne
The judge now has the public stature of a freshman in high school

I think he has the stature of a freshman in the team "manager" job who is respsonble for picking up the varsity jock straps.

11 posted on 05/20/2024 4:16:41 PM PDT by AndyJackson
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To: forYourChildrenVote4Bush

when the jury hangs, the judge just removes some of those jurors who are voting for acquittal


12 posted on 05/20/2024 4:19:30 PM PDT by ChronicMA
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To: bitt

Tonight Trish Regan quoted a source stating that the judge’s daughter raised over $90 million for Democrats using this case.


13 posted on 05/20/2024 4:22:01 PM PDT by tired&retired (Blessings )
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To: bitt

“The judge then excused the jury to lecture Costello about “proper decorum” inside his courtroom, “

GatewayPundit managed to turn this into the judge yelling at Costello “Get out of my courtroom”.


14 posted on 05/20/2024 4:22:42 PM PDT by TexasGator
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To: llevrok

The judge IS the Prosecution.


15 posted on 05/20/2024 4:22:59 PM PDT by vivenne
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To: bitt
I'm confused. What the hell is this "trial" about? I thought it was book keeping and not the payments, that aren't actually illegal, and not about sex, which may be in bad taste or judgement but still not illegal. It isn't about misuse of campaign funds since NY has no jurisdiction and the feds aren't interested and it isn't about influencing the 2016 election since doing it by making blackmail payments isn't illegal either and it took place after the election was done and dusted.

Personally, if I had Trump's money I'd aim a little higher than a worn out whore like Daniels or even his two babe "assistants". His taste in that area lean to that of a mafia thug or a dock union boss. Melania was a very good catch but he really doesn't deserve her. He does some really dumb things and gets in some really sketchy situations even if he does nothing. He was old enough to know better at the time and now but maybe hollyweird got to his head. Old men should play golf without girls at their side printing encouraging news.

16 posted on 05/20/2024 4:23:41 PM PDT by Sequoyah101 (The Government that got us in this mess is not the Government that can get us out of it.)
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To: tired&retired

This info has been out for about a week.


17 posted on 05/20/2024 4:24:03 PM PDT by vivenne
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To: bitt

cartel boy needs a tune-up.


18 posted on 05/20/2024 4:27:17 PM PDT by kiryandil (FR Democrat Party operatives! Rally in defense of your Colombian cartel stooge Merchan!)
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To: bitt

Judge Meathead knows his case has fallen apart and Trump will be President.


19 posted on 05/20/2024 4:28:40 PM PDT by bray (It's not racist to be racist against races you do not like.)
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To: bitt

Did he put a gag order on the witness?


20 posted on 05/20/2024 4:29:14 PM PDT by bray (It's not racist to be racist against races you do not like.)
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