1/17
😄 Off to a good start.
Adam Klasfeld:
Defense counsel registers the appearance of "President Trump."
Justice Merchan: "Good morning, Mr. Trump."
Adam Klasfeld:
Defense counsel registers the appearance of "President Trump."
Justice Merchan: "Good morning, Mr. Trump."
10:08 AM - Mar 25, 2024
(Edited)
2/17
Merchan not playing. 😊
Klasfeld:
Judge Merchan: If you are talking about the Mueller investigation, it is not relevant to this case.
Trump's lawyer: But -
Judge Merchan: I decide what is relevant. And I am not letting that in.
Trump lawyer: The witness discussed what his role was, at the time
Klasfeld:
Judge Merchan: If you are talking about the Mueller investigation, it is not relevant to this case.
Trump's lawyer: But -
Judge Merchan: I decide what is relevant. And I am not letting that in.
Trump lawyer: The witness discussed what his role was, at the time
10:35 AM - Mar 25, 2024
(Edited)
3/17
Reminds me of whatshername. 😄
Inner City Press:
Judge Merchan: Case law. Can you give me one case on this?
Trump's lawyer: I don't have a case.
Judge Merchan: This is disconcerting, given your allegations about the People's misconduct, and that I am somehow complicit in it. You don't have a cite?
Inner City Press:
Judge Merchan: Case law. Can you give me one case on this?
Trump's lawyer: I don't have a case.
Judge Merchan: This is disconcerting, given your allegations about the People's misconduct, and that I am somehow complicit in it. You don't have a cite?
11:07 AM - Mar 25, 2024
4/17
ICP:
Judge Merchan: I don't want hear about emails and phone calls. Here's my final question [blows nose] Excuse me, I apologize - the allegation is that the People did not gather the info from the US Attorney's Office. Are you saying there was knowing withholding?
Judge Merchan: I don't want hear about emails and phone calls. Here's my final question [blows nose] Excuse me, I apologize - the allegation is that the People did not gather the info from the US Attorney's Office. Are you saying there was knowing withholding?
11:10 AM - Mar 25, 2024
5/17
ICP:
Trump's lawyer: There were requests all the way back to 2019. Then there was a big meeting, the DA told the Southern District, we're going to come back and ask for information. SDNY never said no. The People ask, and they get. They knew-
Trump's lawyer: There were requests all the way back to 2019. Then there was a big meeting, the DA told the Southern District, we're going to come back and ask for information. SDNY never said no. The People ask, and they get. They knew-
11:10 AM - Mar 25, 2024
6/17
Uh oh. 😊
ICP:
Judge Merchan: Why did you wait until two months before trial?
Trump's lawyer: We were going through the 11 million pages provided.
Judge Merchan: You were in that Office for 13 years. You knew enough to ask.
Trump's lawyer: It's not our job.
Judge: Not DA's job
ICP:
Judge Merchan: Why did you wait until two months before trial?
Trump's lawyer: We were going through the 11 million pages provided.
Judge Merchan: You were in that Office for 13 years. You knew enough to ask.
Trump's lawyer: It's not our job.
Judge: Not DA's job
11:11 AM - Mar 25, 2024
7/17
ICP:
Judge Merchan: You could have requested in June, and gotten it.
Trump's lawyer: There's a broader obligation on the People, more than just look around their office and thank the SDNY-
Judge Merchan: Did you review the People's exhibits?
Trump's lawyer: Of course
Judge Merchan: You could have requested in June, and gotten it.
Trump's lawyer: There's a broader obligation on the People, more than just look around their office and thank the SDNY-
Judge Merchan: Did you review the People's exhibits?
Trump's lawyer: Of course
11:12 AM - Mar 25, 2024
8/17
I think they're losing him.
ICP:
Judge Merchan: The People did not obstruct you. That's just not what happened-
Trump's lawyer: They had not asked Southern for a single piece of paper. They should have told SDNY, give them information-
Judge Merchan: That's pretty much what they did
ICP:
Judge Merchan: The People did not obstruct you. That's just not what happened-
Trump's lawyer: They had not asked Southern for a single piece of paper. They should have told SDNY, give them information-
Judge Merchan: That's pretty much what they did
11:15 AM - Mar 25, 2024
9/17
ICP:
Bragg's lawyer: Short of suing the Federal government, I don't know what we could have done.
Trump's lawyer: There were multiple communications back and forth. They say they had no obligation. That's just wrong.
Bragg's lawyer: Short of suing the Federal government, I don't know what we could have done.
Trump's lawyer: There were multiple communications back and forth. They say they had no obligation. That's just wrong.
11:16 AM - Mar 25, 2024
10/17
ICP:
Judge Merchan: This is a pattern. I hear information, then I hear your interpretation - and they're different. We're going to take a short break. Let's take 45 minutes. [Looks of surprise. ...]
Judge Merchan: This is a pattern. I hear information, then I hear your interpretation - and they're different. We're going to take a short break. Let's take 45 minutes. [Looks of surprise. ...]
11:18 AM - Mar 25, 2024
11/17
Adam Klasfeld:
Justice Merchan kicker before the morning recess:
“The People went so far above and beyond what they were required to do that it’s odd that we’re even here.”
Justice Merchan kicker before the morning recess:
“The People went so far above and beyond what they were required to do that it’s odd that we’re even here.”
11:27 AM - Mar 25, 2024
12/17
Adam Klesfeld:
Merchan finds the DA is "not at fault" for the late production of documents.
"The People have complied and continues to comply" with their discovery obligations.
Merchan finds the DA is "not at fault" for the late production of documents.
"The People have complied and continues to comply" with their discovery obligations.
12:11 PM - Mar 25, 2024
13/17
ICP:
They're back, at 12:09 pm.
All rise!
Judge Merchan: The purpose of this hearing was to determine who was to blame, and what prejudice. I will rule from the bench: this Court finds that the DA is not at fault for the late production of documents.
They're back, at 12:09 pm.
All rise!
Judge Merchan: The purpose of this hearing was to determine who was to blame, and what prejudice. I will rule from the bench: this Court finds that the DA is not at fault for the late production of documents.
12:13 PM - Mar 25, 2024
14/17
ICP:
Judge Merchant: The DA's office was diligent. Defendant will not suffer any prejudice. Jury selection will proceed in 21 days, on April 15. It will not conflict with Passover.
Trump's lawyer: We have been trying to file a motion about pre-trial publicity
Judge Merchant: The DA's office was diligent. Defendant will not suffer any prejudice. Jury selection will proceed in 21 days, on April 15. It will not conflict with Passover.
Trump's lawyer: We have been trying to file a motion about pre-trial publicity
12:14 PM - Mar 25, 2024
15/17
ICP:
Bragg's lawyer: We think it unlikely that adjournment is warranted by pre-trial publicity. But if they move, we'll respond.
Judge Merchan: What has changed?
Trump's lawyer: We collected and analyzed data. These motions come close to the trial date
Bragg's lawyer: We think it unlikely that adjournment is warranted by pre-trial publicity. But if they move, we'll respond.
Judge Merchan: What has changed?
Trump's lawyer: We collected and analyzed data. These motions come close to the trial date
12:16 PM - Mar 25, 2024
16/17
ICP:
Trump's lawyer: He is running for President, he should not have to sit for this trial now, given that DANY could have filed this case 3 years ago.
Judge Merchan: When can you file it?
Trump's lawyer: Today. It's attached to our pre-motion letter.
Trump's lawyer: He is running for President, he should not have to sit for this trial now, given that DANY could have filed this case 3 years ago.
Judge Merchan: When can you file it?
Trump's lawyer: Today. It's attached to our pre-motion letter.
12:17 PM - Mar 25, 2024
17/17
ICP:
Judge Merchan: The People have a week to respond. See you all on the 15th [of April]. We are adjourned.
[Inner City Press story later - here's book about Trump Trial II:
Judge Merchan: The People have a week to respond. See you all on the 15th [of April]. We are adjourned.
[Inner City Press story later - here's book about Trump Trial II:
12:19 PM - Mar 25, 2024