(The Guardian) Judge denies defense motion for a mistrial
Judge Juan Merchan is responding to Blanche’s push for mistrial. “I agree that there are probably some things that would have been
Judge Juan Merchan is responding to Blanche’s push for mistrial. “I agree that there are probably some things that would have been
better unsaid,” Merchan said. -- In fairness to the people, I think your witness was a little difficult to control ... having said that I do think there were guardrails in place, I do think the court had instructed the prosecution there were certain details they didn’t need to get into.
Merchan says: I’m going to deny the motion for a mistrial at this time.
The judge, Juan Merchan, says he doesn’t think we’re at the point where mistrial is warranted, even as he concedes “there were some things that should have been left unsaid” during Stormy Daniels’ freewheeling testimony.
But Merchan says he was also surprised there were not more objections from the defense and that, at one point, he stepped in of his own accord to restrict Daniels’ testimony.
Judge Juan Merchan noted that prosecutor Susan Hoffinger stepped out for a minute to provide additional instruction to Stormy Daniels before she returned to the stand, namely that she shouldn’t provide additional narrative.
Meanwhile, Eric Trump and Trump lawyer Alina Habba are seated in the front row of the gallery, behind him. They can be seen chatting here and there. She is smiling.
Daniels re-entered the courtroom. She is back at the witness stand, sipping water. She’s adjusted her hair. Her face has a deflated look about it.
Merchan says: I’m going to deny the motion for a mistrial at this time.
The judge, Juan Merchan, says he doesn’t think we’re at the point where mistrial is warranted, even as he concedes “there were some things that should have been left unsaid” during Stormy Daniels’ freewheeling testimony.
But Merchan says he was also surprised there were not more objections from the defense and that, at one point, he stepped in of his own accord to restrict Daniels’ testimony.
Judge Juan Merchan noted that prosecutor Susan Hoffinger stepped out for a minute to provide additional instruction to Stormy Daniels before she returned to the stand, namely that she shouldn’t provide additional narrative.
Meanwhile, Eric Trump and Trump lawyer Alina Habba are seated in the front row of the gallery, behind him. They can be seen chatting here and there. She is smiling.
Daniels re-entered the courtroom. She is back at the witness stand, sipping water. She’s adjusted her hair. Her face has a deflated look about it.
