Judge clears courtroom as Trump witness infuriates judge

[Wags]

https://youtu.be/oNBRAxZMcRE?si=8Mf92s7MvOY3DOll

This from Brian Tyler Cohen's YT site. He's definitely coming from a left leaning perspective, but what he's got to say starting at about 5:24 is worth a listen.

[GGD]

I listened starting at that time, heard him mention the incident, but still have no clue as to who the witness was or what they said that caused the judge to clear the courtroom.


What actually happened?

[Ombligo]

Defense witness was openly mocking the judge in front of the jury. Robert Costello, an experienced criminal lawyer who gave advice to Cohen made faces, and verbal statements whenever the judge sustained an objection while he was testifying. The judge ordered the courtroom cleared.

I can only imagine what transpired but I bet sanctions will be in play next week.

[PeterB]

Ombligo wrote:
Defense witness was openly mocking the judge in front of the jury. Robert Costello, an experienced criminal lawyer who gave advice to Cohen made faces, and verbal statements whenever the judge sustained an objection while he was testifying. The judge ordered the courtroom cleared.

I can only imagine what transpired but I bet sanctions will be in play next week.

I heard on the news tonight that Costello was openly mocking the judge and the whole trial, making faces at the judge and muttering stuff under his breath, etc. The judge apparently cleared the courtroom in order to basically make clear to the witness and the defense that such behavior wouldn't be tolerated. I presume that if the witness continues behaving in such a way, he'll be removed for contempt of court, and the jury will be informed of such and maybe even told to disregard this witness' testimony outright.

[steve...]

Ombligo wrote:
Defense witness was openly mocking the judge in front of the jury. Robert Costello, an experienced criminal lawyer who gave advice to Cohen made faces, and verbal statements whenever the judge sustained an objection while he was testifying.

Costello was probably doing what Orange tRumpo wanted to see.

[pdq]

Not that it matters, but why isn’t this covered by attorney-client privilege? Did Cohen actually hire him? If you get informal advice from a lawyer, can he still come to court and make funny faces to try and discredit you?

Edit:

Costello himself said he considered Cohen his client. Sent him a bill for his work.

I have to assume that either I’m misunderstanding attorney-client privilege, or the prosecution didn’t consider Costello’s testimony worth trying to block.

[Ted King]

The cross examination of Costello is going to be very interesting.

[Speedy]

pdq wrote:
Not that it matters, but why isn’t this covered by attorney-client privilege? Did Cohen actually hire him? If you get informal advice from a lawyer, can he still come to court and make funny faces to try and discredit you?

Edit:

Costello himself said he considered Cohen his client. Sent him a bill for his work.

I have to assume that either I’m misunderstanding attorney-client privilege, or the prosecution didn’t consider Costello’s testimony worth trying to block.

Call a law firm, give the clerk your name and address and be connected to an attorney. Ka-ching.

[Ombligo]

Cohen never signed a retainer.

[pdq]

Ombligo wrote:
Cohen never signed a retainer.

But the guy who testified against him considered him a client. In his own words, apparently. And now he's turned around and is making up telling tales he heard from his "client" when his "client" was in big legal trouble.