Trump's desperate attempts to summon a large, angry mob to frighten jurors into not crossing him has fallen flat. I hope they all do the right thing and aren't swayed by fears of retribution.
From the news coverage I’ve read elsewhere, it sounds like Cohen did better on the stand than I expected him to - keeping his cool and testifying fairly honestly about his own shortcomings. After his performance in the NYS fraud trial - where he was reportedly making his own objections to defense questions and generally being a smarmy asshat on cross - I was concerned, but it sounds like the DA’s office did an excellent job of preparing him for this trial. Instead, it sounds like Bob Costello decided to play the role of smarmy asshat, which certainly didn’t help the defense.
That said, I think there is still a strong possibility of a hung jury or even an acquittal. I believe that the prosecution has proven that there were false business records to cover up the “hush money” payment. I just don’t know whether they’ve done enough to show that TFG is personally responsible for the false business records, beyond a reasonable doubt.
A big missing piece is Allen Weisselberg. I get why prosecutors didn’t call him, given that he’s currently in Rikers after pleading guilty to perjury in TFG’s last trial. But, I probably would have taken the risk of calling him just to confirm certain documents, and getting the perjury conviction into evidence so that anything exculpatory he said could be disregarded by the jury. As it stands, I’m guessing 1 or more jurors are going to wonder why Weisselberg did NOT testify. If jurors reasonably believe that Cohen and Weisselberg were responsible for the false business records, instead of TFG, then I could see an acquittal or hung jury.
Keep in mind that there are several lawyers on the jury; even though they aren’t criminal attorneys, they will certainly understand that it’s the prosecution’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
I guess I’m saying I won’t be surprised by any result in this particular case.
I get that Merchan postponed closing arguments so they would be fresh in jurors minds. But why is there a break in the first place? End tomorrow, and start deliberations. Boom bam, done.
There is no trial on Wednesday because the judge has other commitments, so the earliest they could do closing arguments would be Thursday. It’s been reported that a juror has a flight on Friday (presumably for the long holiday weekend), which means the jury charge wouldn’t be until next Tuesday.
Makes a lot more sense to do closing arguments and hopefully the jury charge next Tuesday, and then start deliberations.
Closing arguments tomorrow and deliberations beginning on Thursday only leaves a day and a half for the jury to reach a verdict before the holiday weekend. That's not enough time for a trial that's been going on for a month and which may very well necessitate a review of evidence and testimony by the jurors.
Dear God, I really don't ask for much, but since you didn't have him testify, if you could please have Orange Turd want to give the closing argument, it would ever so entertaining.
I have no idea how this could be possible without complete sequestration, but technically, they shouldn't know anything trial-related about Donnie outside the courtroom.
oh no! not Joe Piscopo! this will now COMPLETELY RUIN future viewings of the Star Trek : The Next Generation episode "The Outrageous Okona". a fan favorite and one of the best sci-fi stories ever told!
Back when America was Great. if you said nasty things about the judge who was hearing your criminal case, and said ugly things about his daughter in public and the judge caught wind of it, you could expect to have your bail revoked, and God help you if you were found guilty If there was any way the judge could give you more than the maximum sentence he surely would. I saw it happen (friend of a friend) So where do people get this ridiculous notion that TFG is being treated unjustly and that once upon a time. before "woke", his rantings would have been normal and just "free speech"?
"So where do people get this ridiculous notion that TFG is being treated unjustly and that once upon a time. before "woke", his rantings would have been normal and just "free speech"?"
`
His cult doesn't want him to be innocent; they want him *to be guilty and get away with it*.
One of the many frustrations that come with following this trial is knowing how much shit anyone who was poor or non-white would get for half of Trump's courtroom misbehavior.
The gag order does restrict his ability to testify. He can’t use his time on the stand to threaten witnesses, intimidate the jury, or threaten Merchan’s daughter.
Trump's desperate attempts to summon a large, angry mob to frighten jurors into not crossing him has fallen flat. I hope they all do the right thing and aren't swayed by fears of retribution.
Leaving Naples for Rome - link to a kitty guarding Pompeii.
https://substack.com/profile/76665937-weejee/note/c-56991437?r=19n7td
I wouldn't mess with that kitty. They look like they'd rip me apart five ways to Sunday.
The defense only needs one juror to hang the jury, That may be true, but hung jury does not equal acquittal
That depends on how fertile...or febrile...your imagination.
Let me just preface this by saying I am most definitely not a lawyer.
Vampire kitties look a lot less scary than regular kitties.
"Cletus the Vampire"
From the news coverage I’ve read elsewhere, it sounds like Cohen did better on the stand than I expected him to - keeping his cool and testifying fairly honestly about his own shortcomings. After his performance in the NYS fraud trial - where he was reportedly making his own objections to defense questions and generally being a smarmy asshat on cross - I was concerned, but it sounds like the DA’s office did an excellent job of preparing him for this trial. Instead, it sounds like Bob Costello decided to play the role of smarmy asshat, which certainly didn’t help the defense.
That said, I think there is still a strong possibility of a hung jury or even an acquittal. I believe that the prosecution has proven that there were false business records to cover up the “hush money” payment. I just don’t know whether they’ve done enough to show that TFG is personally responsible for the false business records, beyond a reasonable doubt.
A big missing piece is Allen Weisselberg. I get why prosecutors didn’t call him, given that he’s currently in Rikers after pleading guilty to perjury in TFG’s last trial. But, I probably would have taken the risk of calling him just to confirm certain documents, and getting the perjury conviction into evidence so that anything exculpatory he said could be disregarded by the jury. As it stands, I’m guessing 1 or more jurors are going to wonder why Weisselberg did NOT testify. If jurors reasonably believe that Cohen and Weisselberg were responsible for the false business records, instead of TFG, then I could see an acquittal or hung jury.
Keep in mind that there are several lawyers on the jury; even though they aren’t criminal attorneys, they will certainly understand that it’s the prosecution’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
I guess I’m saying I won’t be surprised by any result in this particular case.
I get that Merchan postponed closing arguments so they would be fresh in jurors minds. But why is there a break in the first place? End tomorrow, and start deliberations. Boom bam, done.
Monday is Memorial Day, so the court is probably closed.
There is no trial on Wednesday because the judge has other commitments, so the earliest they could do closing arguments would be Thursday. It’s been reported that a juror has a flight on Friday (presumably for the long holiday weekend), which means the jury charge wouldn’t be until next Tuesday.
Makes a lot more sense to do closing arguments and hopefully the jury charge next Tuesday, and then start deliberations.
Ahhh, I totally forgot that Memorial day was coming up.
Well, I guess they misnamed that holiday, huh?
Closing arguments tomorrow and deliberations beginning on Thursday only leaves a day and a half for the jury to reach a verdict before the holiday weekend. That's not enough time for a trial that's been going on for a month and which may very well necessitate a review of evidence and testimony by the jurors.
Thanks.
Dear God, I really don't ask for much, but since you didn't have him testify, if you could please have Orange Turd want to give the closing argument, it would ever so entertaining.
I understand, but no; I can only take so much human self-abasement.
I have no idea how this could be possible without complete sequestration, but technically, they shouldn't know anything trial-related about Donnie outside the courtroom.
The defense rested before another witness buried their case forever.
When they make the movie, it'll be like the change of plea scene in The Untouchables.
NOT GREAT, BOB!
oh no! not Joe Piscopo! this will now COMPLETELY RUIN future viewings of the Star Trek : The Next Generation episode "The Outrageous Okona". a fan favorite and one of the best sci-fi stories ever told!
Happy Time News!!!
Drama daughter had her baby this morning!
Little Princess Bubblegum was hopelessly breech, so water breaking was followed by a C-section!
7.4 oz. of feminist will and auburn hair.
🥂 Mazel Tov!
Do you perhaps mean "7.4 lbs"?
But congratulations anyway!
HOOOOORRRRAAAYYY!
Wonderful. I hope everyone is doing well.
Congrats to all!
Back when America was Great. if you said nasty things about the judge who was hearing your criminal case, and said ugly things about his daughter in public and the judge caught wind of it, you could expect to have your bail revoked, and God help you if you were found guilty If there was any way the judge could give you more than the maximum sentence he surely would. I saw it happen (friend of a friend) So where do people get this ridiculous notion that TFG is being treated unjustly and that once upon a time. before "woke", his rantings would have been normal and just "free speech"?
"So where do people get this ridiculous notion that TFG is being treated unjustly and that once upon a time. before "woke", his rantings would have been normal and just "free speech"?"
`
His cult doesn't want him to be innocent; they want him *to be guilty and get away with it*.
One of the many frustrations that come with following this trial is knowing how much shit anyone who was poor or non-white would get for half of Trump's courtroom misbehavior.
🏆
Convicted felon!
Convicted felon!
Convicted felon!
Rikers and handcuffs and orange jumpsuit, Oh my!
Then off to Mob-a-Largo after being fitted with a GPS anklet, required to stay their until sentencing or another criminal trial needs his presence
Oh, please please please…
Thanks for your (often hilarious, always irreverent) coverage.
Just the headlines of the daily reports are a snarky tour de force.
Gawd - Gorka and Gowdy, good golly, gross!
And suddenly, everyone who hopes to be considered for anything shows up at the last minute like jumping into a marathon at the 25th mile.
Hope the dope on a rope really gets the Bronx cheer!!!
VonShitzenpants wanted desperately to testify, but he couldn't because of the Biden gag order.
Factz
Only in the MAGAverse. Here in normal reality not quite so,.
The gag order does restrict his ability to testify. He can’t use his time on the stand to threaten witnesses, intimidate the jury, or threaten Merchan’s daughter.
Sorry, I left off the /S (....for Sarcasm)
:-)
I've found that to be true here in internet posting land. Someone always takes you seriously Guess the sarcasm is just not so obvious in print.
What do we want?
A snark font!
When do we want it?
So, so, so very long ago.