Judge Jeanine: This was Trump lawyer's 'big bang' during closing arguments

Fox News

28 May 202409:30

Summary

TLDRIn a heated courtroom exchange, Todd Blanche, a prosecutor, suggested to the jury that Donald Trump could face jail time if convicted, prompting an outraged response from Judge Merchan who deemed the comment inappropriate and promised a curative instruction to the jury. The defense team, led by Jeanine Pirro, argued that the case hinges on unproven evidence and the credibility of Michael Cohen, whom they labeled the 'Greatest Liar of All Time' (GOAT). The prosecution's closing arguments focused on undermining Cohen's testimony, emphasizing inconsistencies and the lack of corroborating evidence. The jury's decision now hangs in the balance, with the judge's instructions and the absence of key witnesses potentially influencing their verdict.

Takeaways

📢 The defense team for Donald Trump is concluding their arguments, and the next steps are being discussed with Judge Jeanine Pirro.
🔍 The Washington Post reported an incident where Todd Blanche suggested to the jury that Trump could go to jail if convicted, which angered Judge Merchan.
👩‍⚖️ Judge Pirro was surprised by Merchan's reaction and explained that the jury should only be concerned with the facts and the law, not the potential sentence.
🗣️ Todd Blanche's closing argument was described as simple, non-histrionic, and focused on the lack of evidence and the falsification of business records.
👥 Blanche highlighted the absence of key witnesses like Gina Rodriguez, Dylan Howard, Alan Weisselberg, and Keith Schiller, which could be crucial for the defense.
🚫 Judge Pirro emphasized the importance of an adverse witness charge due to the absence of certain key witnesses who were not called to testify.
📚 Blanche's closing argument detailed inconsistencies and lies, particularly focusing on Michael Cohen's testimony, calling him the 'Greatest Liar of All Time (GOAT)'.
🎯 The argument was methodical in discrediting Cohen's testimony and the circumstances surrounding his allegations, suggesting he should not have been able to testify.
🤔 Judge Pirro expressed concern about the jury instructions, particularly the lack of clarity on the crime that was allegedly being concealed.
👉 The jury was given three options for the crime being concealed without needing to agree on which one, which Judge Pirro found perplexing and unfair.
👍 Judge Pirro noted that the jury's eagerness to continue with the trial without a break indicates their readiness and commitment to their duty.

Q & A

What is the context of the discussion in the transcript?
-The discussion revolves around the closing arguments in a legal case involving Donald Trump, with a focus on the prosecution's and defense's strategies and the judge's potential instructions to the jury.
Who is Todd Blanche in the context of this transcript?
-Todd Blanche is the prosecutor who delivered the closing arguments in the case mentioned in the transcript.
What did Todd Blanche suggest to the jury in his closing argument that caused a reaction from Merchan?
-Todd Blanche suggested to the jury that Donald Trump could go to jail if convicted, which Merchan found highly inappropriate and a reason to issue a curative instruction to the jury.
What is the role of Judge Jeanine Pirro in the transcript?
-Judge Jeanine Pirro is a cohost of 'The Five' and has been present at the courthouse. She provides commentary and insights into the proceedings based on her observations.
What is the significance of the missing witness instruction and adverse witness charge mentioned by Judge Jeanine Pirro?
-The missing witness instruction and adverse witness charge are legal tools that could be used by the defense to suggest to the jury that the absence of certain witnesses speaks to the weakness of the prosecution's case.
What was the main focus of Todd Blanche's closing argument according to the transcript?
-Todd Blanche's closing argument focused on the lack of proven evidence, the inconsistencies in the testimonies, and the unreliability of Michael Cohen as a witness.
What was the term used by Todd Blanche to describe Michael Cohen in his closing argument?
-Todd Blanche referred to Michael Cohen as the 'GOAT', which stands for 'Greatest of All Time', in the context of being a liar.
What is the controversy surrounding the judge's potential charge to the jury, as discussed in the transcript?
-The controversy is that the judge may not provide the best charge to the jury, and there is concern about the lack of clarity on what crime is being concealed or violated, which could affect the jury's decision-making process.
What does Judge Jeanine Pirro find 'unheard of' in the context of this case?
-Judge Jeanine Pirro finds it 'unheard of' that the jury is in the middle of a summation without knowing what the crime is that they are trying to conceal.
What does the transcript suggest about the jury's readiness to proceed with their task?
-The transcript suggests that the jury is ready and eager to proceed with their task, as indicated by their decision to continue with the summation without taking a break.
What is the general sentiment expressed by the participants in the transcript regarding the case against Donald Trump?
-The general sentiment expressed is that the case against Donald Trump is not as clear-cut or compelling as it should be for a trial involving a former U.S. President, with a focus on the murkiness of the allegations and the unreliability of the main witness.

Outlines

00:00

📢 Closing Arguments and Controversy

The first paragraph discusses the closing arguments in a trial involving Donald Trump, with a focus on the prosecution's strategy and the defense's response. Jeanine Pirro, a cohost judge, reports from the courthouse and comments on the situation where Todd Blanche, the prosecutor, suggested to the jury that Trump could face jail time if convicted, which was met with strong objections from Merchan. The defense team's closing argument is described as strong, with a focus on the lack of proven evidence and the unreliability of key witness Michael Cohen, who is labeled as the 'Greatest Liar of All Time' (GOAT). The paragraph also touches on the absence of certain witnesses who could have provided adverse testimony against the prosecution.

05:01

👨‍⚖️ Judge's Reaction and Jury's Decision

The second paragraph delves into the judge's reaction to the closing arguments, with a particular focus on Judge Merchan's disapproval of Blanche's suggestion that Trump could go to jail. The conversation highlights the importance of the jury's role in deciding the case based solely on the facts and the law, rather than on the potential consequences for the defendant. The summary also includes commentary on the strength of Todd Blanche's closing argument, which methodically dismantled the prosecution's case and emphasized the lies told by Michael Cohen both in the past and during his testimony. The paragraph concludes with a discussion about the jury's determination to continue with their deliberations without taking a break, indicating their readiness to fulfill their duty.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Closing Arguments

Closing arguments are the final statements made by both the prosecution and defense in a trial, summarizing their cases and making a final appeal to the jury. In the script, Todd Blanche is mentioned as making a closing argument, suggesting that if Trump is convicted, he could go to jail, which is a significant and controversial point in the trial's narrative.

💡Prosecution

The prosecution refers to the legal team that represents the side in a criminal case that is trying to prove the defendant's guilt. In this script, the prosecution's actions and statements are a central focus, particularly in relation to their closing arguments and the potential implications for the defendant, Donald Trump.

💡Defense Team

The defense team is the group of lawyers who represent the defendant in a legal case, aiming to prove their innocence or to mitigate the charges against them. The script discusses Donald Trump's defense team making their final pitch, indicating a critical stage in the trial where they present their last arguments to the jury.

💡Jury

A jury is a group of people sworn to render a verdict in a trial, based on the evidence presented. The script emphasizes the jury's role in deciding the outcome of the case, noting how the closing arguments from both sides are directed at influencing their decision.

💡Curative Instruction

A curative instruction is a direction given by a judge to the jury to disregard certain statements or evidence that should not have been presented during the trial. In the script, it is mentioned that Judge Merchan will issue a curative instruction after an inappropriate suggestion was made by Todd Blanche regarding the potential jail sentence for Trump.

💡Falsification of Business Records

Falsification of business records refers to the act of knowingly making false entries in the books, records, or accounts of a business. The script discusses this concept as a central element of the case, with the defense arguing that the evidence presented does not prove this wrongdoing.

💡Extortion

Extortion is the criminal act of obtaining money, property, or services from an individual or institution, typically through coercion. The script mentions extortion in the context of certain witnesses allegedly trying to extort money, which is a key point in the defense's argument.

💡Reasonable Doubt

Reasonable doubt is a standard in criminal trials where the jury must be convinced of the defendant's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt to return a guilty verdict. The script quotes Todd Blanche referring to Michael Cohen as the 'human embodiment of reasonable doubt,' highlighting the defense's strategy to create doubt in the minds of the jurors.

💡Perjury

Perjury is the act of lying or making false statements under oath in a court proceeding. The script discusses Michael Cohen's testimony, suggesting that he lied under oath, which is a crucial point for the defense to discredit his testimony and create reasonable doubt.

💡Missing Witness Instructions

Missing witness instructions refer to the guidance given by the judge to the jury regarding the implications of a party not calling certain witnesses who may have had relevant information. In the script, Jeanine Pirro expresses concern about the lack of these instructions, indicating that the absence of key witnesses like Alan Weisselberg could be used to argue against the prosecution's case.

💡Adverse Witness Charge

An adverse witness charge is a direction from the judge to the jury that they may draw negative inferences from a party's decision not to call a witness who would have provided unfavorable evidence. The script suggests that the defense would like such a charge to be given in relation to the non-appearance of certain witnesses who could have testified against the prosecution's case.

Highlights

Donald Trump's defense team concluding their final pitch.

Jeanine Pirro reports from the courthouse on the closing arguments.

Todd Blanche suggests to the jury that Trump could face jail time if convicted.

Judge Merchan reacts strongly to Blanche's suggestion, calling it inappropriate.

Pirro explains the jury's role is to decide facts, with the judge providing the law.

Blanche's closing argument is described as simple, not histrionic, and addressing all points.

Blanche emphasizes the lack of proven evidence and what the jury did not hear.

Discussion on the role of falsification of business records in the case.

Blanche details the inconsistencies with the witnesses and the lack of catch and kill agreements.

Stormy Daniels' story was already public, undermining the case's premise.

Blanche argues that certain key witnesses were not called, impacting the case's strength.

The significance of Alan Weisselberg and Keith Schiller not testifying is highlighted.

Blanche labels Michael Cohen as the 'Greatest Liar of All Time' (GOAT).

Cohen's credibility and his testimony under oath are questioned.

The prosecution's case has many holes, according to Blanche's summation.

Pirro expresses concern over the judge's instructions to the jury.

The jury is not required to agree on which crime was being concealed.

Pirro finds it unfair that the jury does not know the felony in question.

Judge Merchan's potential bias in giving jury instructions is discussed.

The jury's readiness to continue without a break indicates their engagement.

The necessity for a crystal-clear case when taking a former U.S. President to trial.