'A bored jury will punish the lawyer': Trump's hush money trial enters its final stretch - Velshi - MSNBC

[Rhiannon12866]

Donald Trump’s historic first criminal trial is entering its final stretch. Judge Juan Merchan has advised the prosecution and defense to be prepared to give closing arguments as soon as Tuesday, which means a verdict could just be days away. Before that though, the defense will spend a third day cross-examining the prosecution’s key witness Michael Cohen.

Criminal defense attorney Danny Cevallos has a piece of advice for the defense: “Don’t overdo it,” he says. “Don’t keep him on there too long and start boring the jury because a bored jury will punish the lawyer.” He joins Charles Coleman Jr. and Hugo Lowell to discuss what to expect in what could be the final week of Trump’s hush money trial. - Aired on 05/19/2024.

[jimfields33]

1. Isn't defense calling witnesses? This is the oddest trial I've ever seen.

[Rhiannon12866]

2. Stormy Daniels and especially Michael Cohen were their main witnesses, Cohen was TFG's "fixer"

And testified on exactly what went on at the time - the lies and the payoffs designed to keep the truth from the voters before the 2016 election.

[femmedem]

3. They were witnesses for the prosecution, not the defense.

(Brain blips: they happen to all of us.)

[jimfields33]

5. Well that was prosecutions witnesses.

Defense should have some too. At least that’s how a trial works.

[Rhiannon12866]

6. Well, from what I read they both contributed to the charges of guilt that TFG faces

[femmedem]

7. You're getting confused about prosecution vs. defense.

Yes, Stormy Daniels and Michael Cohen have contributed testimony that shows TFG's guilt--in other words, testimony that is being used to prosecute him. That's why the prosecution team called them as witnesses, and why TFG's defense team is trying to undermine Cohen's credibility during cross examination. The defense team--the lawyers defending TFG--has not called any witnesses.

Like I said, it happens to all of us from time to time. In this case, it's particularly easy to confuse them because although the prosecutors are prosecuting TFG, they're defending democracy and the rule of law.

Thanks as always for sharing such good clips. You're one of my favorites here.

[Mme. Defarge]

4. For God's sake

don’t provide any helpful advice to the defense!!!