The key witness in former President Donald Trump's defense is expected to return to the stand on Tuesday, a day after receiving a deposition hard clothing of the judge supervising the trial.
Defense attorney Robert Costello's testimony is intended to discredit the prosecution's key witness, Michael Cohen, who served his own time on the stand Monday. Costello said he met and spoke with Cohen many times starting in April 2018, after Cohen had his home and office searched by FBI agents.
Costello told jurors that Cohen told him Trump “knew nothing” about the $130,000 payment Cohen made to adult film star Stormy Daniels in 2016. In exchange for the money, Daniels agreed to keep quiet about an alleged sexual encounter with Trump years earlier. Cohen deposited the money himself and testified that Trump was aware of a scheme to falsely disguise the purpose of the payments compensating him. Trump has pleaded not guilty and denies Daniels' claim.
But Costello's testimony was overshadowed by a confrontation with the judge, Juan Merchan, who angrily berated him for his behavior on the stand.
Costello intervened several times — saying “gee” and “save that” — after Merchan accepted prosecutors' objections to questions. The judge ordered the jury removed from the room so he could remind Costello of the “decorum” in his court.
Costello stared at Merchan and the judge erupted. He also ordered members of the gallery, most of whom were members of the press, to clear the courtroom. A later released transcript revealed what happened behind closed doors.
“I would like to point out that your conduct is contemptuous,” Merchan said. “If you try to stare at me one more time, I will remove you from the witness stand.”
Costello said he understood and asked if he could speak.
'No. No. This is not a conversation,” the judge responded.
Costello returns to the stands on Tuesday morning to kick off.
