2/ Via Buchman:
Chutkan notes she has consulted competing cases on Trump's docket to arrive at this date. And she notes that even with March 4 start date, that would still mean this trial will start 3 years+ after Jan. 6.
Lauro says they will abide by Chutkan's order because they must but he says this date will still deny Trump effective counsel.
3/ Chutkan notes Lauro's objection on the rec. A pre-trial schedule will be made, Chutkan will issue a minute order with pre-trial schedule.
Gaston, before things wrap up, notes to Chutkan that she believes defense will poll prospective jurors in DC. She wants a motion hearing
4/ Via Scott MacFarlane
👉🏼👉🏼Judge: "I'm watching carefully for anything that might poison that jury pool" ..... she says about public statements in case
Judge says she too is concerned that defense polling/probing of possible jury pool could taint the jurors in case
5/ More tidbits:
Klasfeld:
People closely following Trump's criminal cases know that the hush-money case was also slated for March 2024.
Chutkan said that she checked in with the trial judge in that case for conflicts before proceeding.
Scott MacFarlane;
Judge orders defense to notify the court ex-parte if they decide to poll Washington DC citizens ahead of trial
@GottaLaff This is remarkable.
Two trials beginning in the same month seems unmanageable on its own, but having two more to squeeze in — ideally before the election, as voters should know the outcomes of each before voting — seems borderline impossible.
Laffy
merely rhys