WEB Robert Costello Defense Witness in Trump Trial Is Scolded by Judge
Jurors Removed from Courtroom for Reprimand
The judge in Donald Trump's Manhattan criminal trial cleared the courtroom on Monday to reprimand a witness and defense attorney, Robert Costello, who has been a legal adviser to Michael Cohen. The incident occurred during cross-examination by Assistant District Attorney Joshua Steinglass, who accused Costello of interrupting him and making false statements.
Clash with Michael Cohen
Costello, an attorney who has clashed with Trump's former fixer Michael Cohen, has been called as a defense witness by the Trump Organization in the trial over the company's alleged tax fraud scheme. Steinglass questioned Costello about his relationship with Cohen and whether he had ever discussed the tax scheme with him.
Contempt of Court
When Costello interrupted Steinglass to object to the questions, Judge Juan Manuel Merchan cleared the jury from the courtroom and reprimanded Costello. Merchan accused Costello of "contemptuous behavior" and warned him that he could be held in contempt of court if he continued to interrupt.
Witness Credibility Impacted
Legal experts say that the judge's reprimand could impact Costello's credibility as a witness. Costello is expected to testify about the Trump Organization's accounting practices and whether the company intentionally misled tax authorities.
Conclusion
The incident is the latest development in the Trump Organization's criminal trial, which is expected to continue for several weeks. The prosecution is seeking to prove that the company engaged in a decade-long scheme to avoid paying taxes on corporate benefits. The defense, on the other hand, is arguing that the company's practices were legal and that the prosecution is politically motivated. The judge's reprimand of Costello highlights the contentious nature of the trial and the high stakes involved for all parties.
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