Posted on 05/20/2024 3:56:30 PM PDT by McGruff
State Supreme Court Judge Juan Merchan cleared the courtroom Monday over a dramatic spat with the defense’s first main witness, Robert Costello, causing a period of mayhem at former President Donald Trump’s hush money trial.
Mr. Costello, a lawyer who once spoke to Trump lawyer-turned-accuser Michael Cohen, seemed to take exception to one of Judge Merchan’s objection rulings, uttering “Jeez,” and then sighing, “Strike it.”
“You don’t say ‘jeez.’ And you don’t say “strike it,’ because I’m the only one who strikes it,” Judge Merchan told Mr. Costello, an experienced attorney and prosecutor.
He also told him not to give him the “side eye” and, his voice rising, asked: “Are you staring me down right now?”
“Clear the courtroom!” Judge Merchan said.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtontimes.com ...
He needs to delay things so he can force Trump to stay long on the day he’s supposed to campaign in the bronx..
Never heard the term side-eye before..
Donald Trump Jr. was in the courtroom sitting with the Defense Team when Judge Merchan had his eruption. “It was the most outrageous thing I have ever seen in my life,” he said. He told about how Costello had a story about Cohen’s suicidal crisis and how he didn’t tell Trump anything about paying Stormy the NDA money. If he did the entire thing himself, how could Trump be responsible for it? Merchan allowed the objections from the Prosecution to keep Costello from telling the Jury his story. It was a story that would sink the Prosecution’s case—proof that Trump did not arrange the NDA. I hope the Trump Team will make another attempt at getting that story to the Jury.
That President of Iran, Ebrahim Raisi, the “Butcher of Tehran” killed 10,000 people convicted in his court and sentenced to death in 10 minute trials. That is the type of mentality we see in compromised Judge Juan Merchan. He belongs in a third world fascist country.
It is good that Raisi bit the mountain rocks.
Does anyone know what this was about?
I guess you can't ask "What do you recall about" in his courtroom.
[Trump lawyer Bove] What do you recall about—[Prosecutor] Objection!
[Judge Merchan] Sustained.
[Witness Costello] Jeez.
[Judge Merchan] Sorry?
[Trump lawyer Bove] What did you mean by—
[Prosecutor] Objection!
[Judge Merchan] Sustained.
[Costello shakes his head]
[Judge Merchan] Can the jury step out?
[They do.]
[Judge Merchan] Mr. Costello, I want to discuss decorum - You don't say "Jeez". You don't give me side eye or roll your eyes. Clear the court room....
The bosses of crime families don't either.
Just like Joe Biden, Juan Merchan is thin skinned and prone to angry outbursts.
Is that a real transcript of the proceedings or a joke?
Sorry for being so dense but I have not been able to follow the court-room antics.
If it is a true recount of what went on in the Court, then the behavior of Judge Merchan is not that much different from Herr Freisler.
Don’t the prosecutor (and judge) at least have to listen to the defence lawyer’s question before objecting and concurring?
Slimeball crooked judge lets Porney Daniel’s recite a “Penthouse Forum” story but defense witnesses speak and no bueno.
Is that a real transcript of the proceedings or a joke?
It is a real transcript of courtroom proceedings that are a bad joke.
Don’t the prosecutor (and judge) at least have to listen to the defence lawyer’s question before objecting and concurring?
Perhaps Judge Merchan is psychic.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bsXXwExmRW8&t=4302s
Robert Gouveia, Esq [American attorney in Arizona]
Whole day of testimony
Unofficial transcript by Matthew Russell Lee, Inner City Press At 1h:10m.40s
or,
https://youtu.be/8Swjpgk1bIg?si=tYaFJR9LXZX21O5s&t=647
Viva Frei [David Freiheit, Canadian attorney]
TRUMP CASE IMPLODES! Michael Cohen ADMITS to STEALING $30,000 From Donal Trump! Viva Frei Vlawg
15:20 total
Also using unofficial transcript by Matthew Russell Lee, Inner City Press
At 10m:47s
Side eye is a bizarre thing to complain about. Drill sergeants say it (at least in movies) if a recruit looks at them from the side, rather than stare 100% straight ahead.
Therefore, “side eye” equals looking at someone who is talking to you. I am aware of no court rule or even social norm that would prevent a witness from looking at the judge.
I’ve never heard of such a complaint and that’s why I believe the judge was acting crazy.
Yes, we have that.
“But if they convict, half the country will see them as ethicless, brainless, corrupt and easily led idiots who let their politics and hatred of a man lead them to disregard all justice and common sense.”
Yes, I understand what you mean, but you have to remember that the jury is made up of New Yorkers who all live in communities of like minded people ... so they most likely won’t face any criticism. And plus, they can’t think that far ahead anyway, they just want their 15 minutes of fame and the book deals.
Merchan of Vengence is a fraud. This is not going “his way…”
Heard prosecution objected about every 30 seconds. Costello a renowned and well respected NY lawyer, and at the moment witness for the defense was losing patients with the judges ruling.
Sounds more like dad starting to take off his belt to me.
Such a wacko judge could just as likely complain that the witness *wasn’t* looking at him.
He’s upset his prosecution is tanking.
Doesn’t even pretend to be unbiased.
Judge won’t get his bonus pay off if Trump is not a convicted felon.
This is my “learn something new” for today.
It’s an Appaloosa thing.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.