Elise Stefanik: I just filed an official judicial complaint with the New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct against Acting Supreme Court Justice Juan Merchan for his clear violation of the Rules of Judicial Conduct for the New York State Unified Court System due to his family directly enriching itself off this sham trial against President Trump. Read FULL Text below…
Justice Merchan has scheduled the closing summations for next Tuesday, recognizing that in a lengthy case like this, such summations will not be brief. He stated, “I expect that summations from both attorneys will take at least a day. I expect my instructions will take at least an hour. My preference is not to break up summations.” With limited time left today and Thursday, he concluded that it could not be done cohesively this week. “I think the best thing we can do is to adjourn now until next Tuesday,” he said, emphasizing the importance of jury instructions.
Justice Merchan reminded the jurors not to independently research trial issues or report any influence attempts. Looking ahead to Tuesday, he expressed uncertainty about completing both summations by 4:30 PM, urging the jurors to consider their availability to stay late.
President Trump left the courtroom without addressing reporters’ questions about his decision not to testify. The defense rested its case after witness Robert Costello confirmed that Michael Cohen had never signed a retainer agreement during a meeting on May 3, 2018. Costello denied pressuring Cohen, stating that his purpose was to discuss Cohen’s legal issues and let him decide his actions.
Why is Judge Merchan suppressing this document the prosecutor’s wrote about Michael Cohen?? https://t.co/Eny0rpJgRY pic.twitter.com/Yt2U5EQNDa
— Sebastian Gorka DrG (@SebGorka) May 21, 2024
Defense attorney Emil Bove showed communications between Costello and Cohen to address concerns about legal representation and payments to the law firm McDermott Will & Emery. Costello indicated that Cohen made excuses for not signing the retainer agreement, causing suspicion about his financial dealings.
During cross-examination, prosecutor Susan Hoffinger suggested that Costello attempted to intimidate Cohen and dissuade him from cooperating with the authorities. Costello denied these accusations, explaining that his communications were intended to offer Cohen legal options and support.
Prosecutors presented emails between Costello, Cohen, and Costello’s law partner Jeff Citron, highlighting Costello’s efforts to maintain Cohen’s business and connections to Rudy Giuliani. Costello testified that Cohen reached out to him for legal advice and believed the connection to Giuliani would be advantageous.
Hoffinger questioned Costello about his close relationship with Giuliani, which he acknowledged. Emails presented in court suggested that Costello saw his relationship with Giuliani as beneficial for Cohen. Despite this, Costello insisted his communications were professional and not intended to intimidate Cohen.
Prosecutors continued to show emails indicating that Cohen ultimately retained another lawyer for his criminal case. In an August 2018 email, Cohen instructed Costello and Citron to cease contacting him, reaffirming that they had never represented him legally.
Law professor Jonathan Turley holds nothing back in an absolutely brutal assessment of Judge Juan Merchan’s handling of the Trump trial:
“I believe there are layers of reversible error in this case.” pic.twitter.com/ThjC02buoB
— Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) May 21, 2024
President Trump attended the trial with a large entourage, including family members, former officials, and supporters. He reiterated to reporters that there was no crime, and the judge should easily rule in favor of dismissing the case.
The defense decided not to call former FEC commissioner Bradley Smith as an expert witness after the judge limited his testimony to defining a few terms. Smith expressed on social media that the jury needed to understand technology and industry norms, which was the focus of his intended testimony.
Justice Merchan has yet to rule on the defense’s motion to dismiss, which argued that the prosecution had not proven its case beyond a reasonable doubt. The defense emphasized the lack of evidence showing that President Trump had the intent to defraud. Justice Merchan reserved his decision, leaving both parties awaiting further instructions and the next steps in the trial.
Major Points
- Justice Merchan scheduled closing summations for next Tuesday, noting they will take at least a day each and should not be broken up.
- He reminded jurors not to research trial issues or report any influence attempts, and to be prepared to stay late on Tuesday.
- President Trump left the courtroom without commenting on his decision not to testify; the defense rested its case after Robert Costello’s testimony.
- Prosecutors accused Costello of attempting to intimidate Michael Cohen, but Costello denied these claims, stating his communications were to offer legal options.
- The defense chose not to call former FEC commissioner Bradley Smith as an expert witness after his testimony was limited; Justice Merchan has yet to rule on the defense’s motion to dismiss the case.
James Kravitz – Reprinted with Permission of Whatfinger News
