Prosecutors have argued that a lawyer named #RobertCostello was dispatched to keep #MichaelCohen loyal. Costello was the only substantive witness called by the defense, & his appearance was nutso 🦇💩

#criminal #law #Trump #TrumpTrial #CatchAndKill #conspiracy #ElectionInterference #HushMoney #MobTactics
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/05/20/nyregion/trump-hush-money-trial-robert-costello.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare&sgrp=c-cb

#Steinglass says that the defense seemed to question the prosecution’s integrity when referring to certain documentary #evidence.

“There’s nothing sinister here, no manipulation,” Steinglass says, explaining that all relevant calls are in evidence. Then he argues that in a defense exhibit showing calls between #MichaelCohen & another lawyer, #RobertCostello, the defense “double counted half the calls.” (prosecution got the witness to admit it on the stand)

#criminal #law #Trump #TrumpTrial

#Blanche moves on to #MichaelCohen’s relationship w/ #RobertCostello, a lawyer who Cohen testified had been part of a pressure campaign to keep him from flipping on #Trump in 2018 (& whose testimony was insane)

Blanche argues there is “no doubt” that Costello, who is 1 of only 2 witnesses the defense called, served as Cohen’s atty —the trial presented plenty of doubt about the nature of Cohen & Costello’s relationship.

#criminal #law #TrumpTrial #CatchAndKill #conspiracy #ElectionInterference

#Hoffinger, in a brief, final series of questions & answers, again confirms that #RobertCostello was never officially hired as #MichaelCohen’s lawyer. Costello steps down from the witness stand.

Justice #Merchan turns to the #jury & explains the upcoming schedule. Closing arguments will take a day & his instructions to them afterward will take at least an hour.

Court will be adjourned, for jurors, until a week from today.

#criminal #law #Trump #TrumpTrial #MobTactics

#Bove continues to ask about #RobertCostello’s meetings w/ #MichaelCohen. Prosecutors have objected a few times, & Justice #Merchan has sustained the objections.

Costello hits on a point that defense lawyers has sought to emphasize: that he was motivated by money.

After one of Costello’s answers is stricken, Costello shakes his head. Merchan wasn’t looking.

Bove’s re-direct ends w/an objection sustained.

“Nothing further,” says Bove.

#criminal #law #Trump #TrumpTrial #MobTactics

There are objections, & lawyers confer w/Justice #Merchan who made clear he does not want this testimony by #RobertCostello to turn into a “trial within a trial,” aimed at attacking a witness — #MichaelCohen.

After the sidebar, Costello says he was giving Cohen “options” & waiting for his “instructions”

#Bove: “Did you ever pressure Michael Cohen to do anything?”

Costello: “I did not”

Bove: “Did you ever have control over Michael Cohen?”

Costello: “Clearly not”

#law #Trump #TrumpTrial