Turley: You have to wonder if the judge is having second thoughts

Fox News

13 May 202409:50

Summary

TLDRThe transcript revolves around a legal analysis of President Trump's court case, where he has proclaimed his innocence and labeled the proceedings as a 'political witch hunt.' The discussion involves the potential for the appellate division to intervene, the likelihood of which is deemed low. Legal experts debate the strategy of the trial judge, the lack of clarity on the actual crimes, and the reliance on Michael Cohen's testimony. They also touch upon the prosecution's tactics, the possibility of a directed verdict due to insufficient evidence, and the political implications of the case. The conversation suggests that the case may be more about political posturing than legal substance, with Trump describing it as rigged and a disgrace to the country.

Takeaways

📜 The transcript discusses a pre-election event from 2016 and legal analysis related to President Trump's court case where he declares his innocence.
🚨 President Trump claims the case against him is a political witch hunt and calls for the appellate division to intervene, though it's unlikely.
🤔 The strategy of the trial judge seems to be to push through the trial despite numerous mistakes and problems, aiming for a verdict.
🔍 The failure to find any legal crimes committed and the inability to connect the events with the actual charges are highlighted issues.
😕 There is criticism of the prosecution's tactics, including the introduction of an agreement to imply evidence that can't be presented.
📉 The prosecution's case is seen as weak, with a potential motion for a directed verdict due to insufficient evidence to support a crime.
💭 Speculation that the prosecution's strategy relies on Michael Cohen's testimony to establish a credibility question for the jury.
🤨 Doubts are expressed about the credibility of Michael Cohen, and it's suggested that prosecutors may not find him believable.
👨‍⚖️ The integrity of the prosecution's office is questioned, with suggestions that the case is politically motivated.
📰 Headlines from 'Newsweek' are mentioned, indicating that the prosecutor, Alvin Bragg, has not proven his allegations.
👥 Testimonies from individuals who worked for President Trump and the Trump Organization are consistent in describing their experiences as positive.

Q & A

What does President Trump claim about the ongoing legal proceedings against him?
-President Trump claims that he is innocent and that the legal proceedings are a political witch hunt.
What is the general sentiment expressed by the participants in the conversation regarding the likelihood of the appellate division stepping in?
-The participants find it unlikely for the appellate division to step in, as it is highly unusual, but not totally out of the question.
What is the strategy that the trial judge is suggested to be employing?
-The trial judge is suggested to be employing a strategy to steamroll through the problems, including the failure to find any legal crimes committed and the ambiguity of the indictment.
What is the potential outcome if the prosecution fails to prove the case beyond reasonable doubt?
-If the prosecution fails to prove the case, the defense may make a motion for a directed verdict, arguing there is insufficient evidence to support a crime, which could lead to an acquittal.
What is the prosecution's apparent strategy regarding Michael Cohen's testimony?
-The prosecution's strategy is to use Michael Cohen's testimony to suggest that he intentionally committed fraud and tried to conceal campaign violations, leaving the credibility question and the fact-finding to the jury.
What does Jonathan Turley suggest about the prosecution's tactics and the judge's potential response?
-Jonathan Turley suggests that the prosecution is proving things not in evidence and leaving suggestions of things that are, which is improper. He also implies that the judge might be having second thoughts about the case due to the antics and the political nature of the case.
What does President Trump describe the trial as, and why does he say it is interfering with his campaign?
-President Trump describes the trial as rigged, dishonest, and a disgrace to both New York and the country. He claims it is election interference and likens it to something that would happen in a third-world country, not the USA, stating he should be campaigning instead of being in court.
What is the concern raised about the integrity of the prosecution's office?
-The concern raised is that the prosecution's office, led by Alvin Bragg, has not come close to proving what it alleged, and the case is seen as completely political.
What is the role of the agreement with the accountant in the trial?
-The agreement with the accountant is introduced by the prosecution to suggest to the jury that they have more substantial evidence than what is presented, even though this is not the case.
What is the significance of the judge's instruction to Michael Cohen to stop his public antics?
-The judge's instruction indicates a concern about the impact of Cohen's public behavior on the trial's proceedings and suggests a potential discomfort with how the case is being conducted.
What is the implication of Michael Cohen's positive remarks about his time working for President Trump?
-Cohen's positive remarks are consistent with other testimonies from people who have worked for Trump, suggesting that despite the legal issues, the experience of working for Trump and his organization was generally enjoyed.

Outlines

00:00

📚 Legal Analysis and Trump's Innocence Declaration

The first paragraph discusses ongoing legal analysis and President Trump's declaration of innocence in a court case. Trump labels the situation a 'political witch hunt' and calls for the appellate division to intervene, which is considered unlikely. The conversation suggests the trial judge's strategy is to push through the trial despite numerous issues, including a failure to find any legal crimes committed and the ambiguity of the indictment. The discussion also touches on the potential for appellate review and the possibility of Trump's acquittal.

05:03

🎭 Cohen's Testimony and the Strategy of the Prosecution

The second paragraph focuses on Michael Cohen's testimony and the prosecution's strategy. It is suggested that the case hinges on Cohen's word against others and that the prosecution may not find him entirely believable. The strategy is to have Cohen check a box, implying his involvement, and then present it to the jury as a credibility question. The paragraph also includes criticism of the prosecution's handling of the case and the judge's potential second thoughts about the proceedings. It concludes with President Trump's comments on the trial being rigged and a disgrace, and a discussion on the integrity of the prosecution's office.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Pre-election

Pre-election refers to the period leading up to an election. In the context of the video, it suggests that certain events or allegations were made before an election took place, potentially influencing its outcome. The script mentions 'PRE-ELECTION, THOUSAND 16', indicating events that occurred before the 2016 election.

💡Innocence

Innocence implies the state of being not guilty of a crime or offense. President Trump is quoted in the script as declaring his innocence, which is central to the video's theme of a legal trial and the political implications surrounding it.

💡Political Witch Hunt

A political witch hunt is a campaign or investigation that is perceived as an unjustified or excessive pursuit of individuals for political reasons. In the script, President Trump claims that the legal proceedings against him are a 'political witch hunt', suggesting his belief that the case is motivated by politics rather than legal merit.

💡Appellate Division

The appellate division is a section of a court system that hears appeals from lower court decisions. The script discusses the possibility of the appellate division stepping in, which relates to the legal process and the potential for higher courts to review and correct lower court decisions.

💡Legal Crimes

Legal crimes are acts that are prohibited by law and are punishable by the state. The script mentions the failure to find any legal crimes committed, which is a critical aspect of the legal debate and the basis for the charges being discussed.

💡Indictment

An indictment is a formal charge or accusation of a serious crime, made by a prosecutor after a grand jury has voted to bring it. The script refers to the ambiguity of the indictment, which is significant as it pertains to the clarity and specificity of the charges against the accused.

💡Directed Verdict

A directed verdict is a court's decision to rule in favor of one party in a case, due to insufficient evidence being presented by the opposing side. In the script, there is a discussion about the defense possibly making a motion for a directed verdict, which would be a pivotal moment in the trial's outcome.

💡Credibility

Credibility refers to the quality of being believable or trustworthy. The script discusses the issue of Michael Cohen's credibility as a witness, which is a key factor in determining the weight of his testimony in court.

💡Prosecution

Prosecution refers to the legal team that represents the state or federal government in a criminal case and has the responsibility to prove the defendant's guilt. The integrity and strategy of the prosecution's office is questioned in the script, highlighting the scrutiny they are under in this case.

💡Election Interference

Election interference is the act of disrupting or influencing the outcome of an election, often through illicit means. President Trump alleges that the trial is a form of 'election interference', suggesting that it is an attempt to affect the political process.

💡Third World Country

A term historically used to describe a nation with an economy that's less developed and a lower standard of living compared to other countries. President Trump uses this term in the script to criticize the conduct of the trial, implying that the situation is not befitting of a developed nation like the USA.

💡Campaign Violations

Campaign violations refer to actions that go against the rules and regulations governing political campaigns. The script alludes to the concealment of campaign violations, which is a significant aspect of the charges being discussed in the context of the trial.

Highlights

President Trump declares his innocence and labels the situation a 'political witch hunt'.

The possibility of the appellate division stepping in is considered, though it is deemed unlikely.

Concerns are raised about the trial judge's strategy and the failure to find any legal crimes committed.

The indictment is criticized for its ambiguity and not specifying the actual crimes.

The potential for appellate review to address issues in the trial is discussed.

The reliance on Michael Cohen's testimony, despite doubts about his credibility, is highlighted.

The prosecution's tactics are questioned, including their handling of evidence and the introduction of an agreement to imply guilt.

The expectation of a motion for a directed verdict due to insufficient evidence is mentioned.

President Trump's criticism of the trial as rigged, dishonest, and a disgrace is noted.

The integrity of the prosecution's office is questioned, with suggestions of political motivations.

Alvin Bragg's competence as a prosecutor is acknowledged, despite the controversy surrounding the case.

Speculation about the judge's potential second thoughts about the case and its implications for his legacy.

Concerns about the judge's family connections to progressive activism and their influence on the case.

The mention of Michael Cohen's positive remarks about his time working for the Trump Organization.

The consistency of testimonies from individuals who worked with Trump, indicating a generally positive experience.