Judge Juan Merchan admonished former President Donald Trump's legal team during their plea for a mistrial on Thursday afternoon, rebuking them for their failure to raise objections during Stormy Daniels' testimony. This marked the second instance this week where Merchan expressed astonishment at the lack of objections from Trump's attorneys while Daniels was on the witness stand. Despite their persistence, Merchan dismissed their motion for a mistrial once again.
Trump's attorney, Todd Blanche, contended that Daniels had altered her narrative by insinuating that the alleged encounter with President Trump might not have been consensual. Blanche claimed they were caught off guard by these assertions, hearing them for the first time during Tuesday's proceedings. In response, the judge expressed bewilderment at the absence of objections to specific testimonies cited in the motion for a mistrial, notably Daniels' mention of Trump allegedly suggesting she would end up living in a trailer park before their purported encounter in 2006. Merchan deemed such details unnecessary and voiced his own objection.
Merchan further highlighted instances where the defense did not object, such as when Daniels testified about Trump's alleged refusal to wear a condom. The judge expressed surprise that attorney Susan Necheles did not interject, questioning the rationale behind her silence. Daniels had testified earlier that Trump did not use a condom during their encounter and recounted a conversation at a hotel dining table where she allegedly discussed her preference for condom use with her film partners.
Merchan also referenced the defense's opening statement, where Blanche denied any sexual encounter between Daniels and Trump. The judge argued that this denial allowed the prosecution to delve into the details of Daniels' story to establish its credibility, thereby justifying more detailed questioning about the alleged encounter.
The more specific Ms. Daniels can be about the encounter, the better the jury can evaluate its occurrence and credibility," Merchan stated.
CNN's Laura Dolan contributed to this coverage.
In conclusion, Judge Juan Merchan's reprimand of former President Trump's legal team underscores the importance of diligent objection during trial proceedings. Merchan's frustration at the lack of objections highlights the potential impact on the case's integrity and the defense's ability to effectively advocate for their client. As the trial progresses, it remains to be seen how these dynamics will shape the outcome and perception of the proceedings.
