Lawrence: Trump defense's lone witness Robert Costello was 'utterly contemptuous'

MSNBC

20 May 202419:18

Summary

TLDRIn an unprecedented courtroom scene, the transcript reveals a tense confrontation between Judge Juan Merchan and defense attorney Robert Costello, who displayed contempt towards the judge's rulings. Costello's disrespectful behavior, including audibly expressing frustration and rolling his eyes, led to the judge clearing the courtroom. The incident underscores the importance of decorum in a court setting and highlights the judge's authority to maintain it. The jury, who had previously shown respect for the judge, were likely influenced by Costello's actions, which could impact the trial's outcome.

Takeaways

🚨 The courtroom was unexpectedly cleared by Judge Juan Merchan, an action rarely heard and even more rarely executed.
🎤 Defense attorney Robert Costello openly disrespected Judge Merchan, which is considered highly unusual and unprofessional behavior for a witness.
👥 The jury, who typically develops a strong respect for the judge in a multi-week trial, likely did not appreciate Costello's behavior.
🗣️ Judge Merchan's authority was challenged by Costello's audible 'Jeez' and his attempt to 'strike' his own testimony, which is not within a witness's power.
👮‍♂️ The court officers had to intervene, showing remarkable professionalism in managing a chaotic situation caused by a contemptuous witness.
📝 The court transcript, while generally reliable, is not always perfect and can sometimes miss or misrepresent crucial words or exchanges.
🤔 Michael Cohen chose not to hire Robert Costello as his criminal defense attorney, possibly due to a lack of trust.
😲 The audience and press were initially resistant to leaving the courtroom when asked, highlighting the gravity of the situation.
👉 Costello's conduct was deemed 'contemptuous' by Judge Merchan, who put him on notice that further disrespect would not be tolerated.
🕒 The incident caused a significant disruption, with the courtroom being cleared and then re-opened, impacting the flow of the trial.
📉 Costello's actions may have negatively affected the perception of the Trump defense team and could potentially influence the jury's opinion.

Q & A

What unusual event occurred in the courtroom that led to the judge clearing it?
-The unusual event was the contemptuous behavior of the witness, Robert Costello, who openly disrespected the judge's rulings and expressed his frustration audibly, which led Judge Juan Merchan to clear the courtroom.
Why was the courtroom cleared and what was the reaction of the people present?
-The courtroom was cleared due to Robert Costello's disrespectful behavior towards the judge. There was confusion and some resistance, especially from the press who are typically allowed to stay for proceedings. The court officers had difficulty clearing the room, and there was back-and-forth argument between the press and the court.
What was the role of Robert Costello in the trial?
-Robert Costello was the second and last witness called by the defense for Donald Trump. His testimony was crucial as it represented the entirety of the Trump defense in the trial.
How did Michael Cohen's decision not to hire Robert Costello reflect on Costello's behavior in court?
-Michael Cohen testified that he did not hire Robert Costello because he did not trust him, believing Costello would inform Rudy Giuliani and Donald Trump about anything Cohen might tell him. This lack of trust could be related to Costello's contemptuous behavior in court.
What was the significance of the word 'Jeez' in the transcript?
-The word 'Jeez' was significant because it was Robert Costello's audible expression of frustration with the judge's ruling, which was considered disrespectful and led to a confrontation with the judge.
How did Judge Merchan respond to Costello's behavior?
-Judge Merchan responded sternly, asking Costello if he was staring him down and then ordering the courtroom to be cleared. He later put Costello on notice that his conduct was contemptuous and threatened to remove him from the stand and strike his entire testimony.
What is the typical relationship between a judge and the jury in a courtroom?
-The judge is typically seen as the leader of the courtroom community. A good trial judge keeps things moving efficiently, accommodates the jury, and treats them as the most important people in the room, often earning their respect and gratitude.
Why was the court reporter unable to capture all the events in the transcript?
-The court reporter was unable to capture all the events due to the chaotic nature of the courtroom clearing and the high-speed at which events were unfolding, which is unusual even for daily transcripts in a trial.
What was the role of the court officers in handling the situation?
-The court officers played a crucial role in calmly and professionally clearing the courtroom and managing the confusion among reporters. They acted as a team and were able to get everyone out and then back into the courtroom within five minutes.
How did the audience and press react to the order to clear the courtroom?
-The audience and press were initially resistant, with some arguing that they had a right to be in the courtroom. There was back-and-forth argument, and the court officers had to repeatedly instruct people to step out.
What was the final outcome of the confrontation between Judge Merchan and Robert Costello?
-After the courtroom was cleared and the situation was discussed privately, Costello was put on notice by Judge Merchan for his contemptuous conduct. The judge threatened to remove him from the stand and strike his entire testimony if he continued his behavior.

Outlines

00:00

👨‍⚖️ Unprecedented Courtroom Dismissal by Judge Merchan

The script describes an extraordinary event in a courtroom where Judge Juan Merchan, in an unusual display of anger, orders the courtroom to be cleared due to the disrespectful behavior of a defense witness, Robert Costello. The witness, a former federal prosecutor, openly disrespects the judge's authority by reacting audibly to sustained objections with a dismissive 'Jeez,' and later suggests 'striking' his own testimony, a prerogative solely of the judge. This conduct is considered highly unusual and disrespectful within the courtroom setting, where the judge is the ultimate authority and is typically treated with the highest respect by all participants, including the jury and the media.

05:01

📝 The Impact of Courtroom Decorum on the Jury

This paragraph delves into the repercussions of a witness's inappropriate conduct in court, particularly focusing on how it might be perceived by the jury. It highlights the importance of a witness's demeanor and respect for the court's proceedings, as it can significantly influence the jury's opinion. The narrative recounts an incident where Robert Costello, the sole witness for the Trump defense, exhibits a lack of decorum by expressing frustration with the judge's rulings, which is captured by the court transcript. The incident leads to Judge Merchan clearing the courtroom, a rare event that underscores the severity of the witness's misconduct and its potential negative impact on the jury's perception of the defense.

10:01

🚨 Judge Merchan's Stern Rebuke and Courtroom Protocol

The script details Judge Merchan's stern rebuke of Robert Costello for his contemptuous behavior in court. After clearing the courtroom, the judge addresses Costello directly, reminding him of the proper decorum expected in court and the consequences of his actions. Judge Merchan makes it clear that he is the only one with the authority to strike testimony and that showing disrespect, such as rolling one's eyes or giving side comments, will not be tolerated. The judge's admonishment serves as a reminder of the gravity of courtroom proceedings and the necessity for all participants to maintain a high standard of conduct.

15:04

📜 The Aftermath of Contemptuous Behavior in Court

Following the incident of contempt in Judge Merchan's courtroom, the script describes the aftermath and the judge's decision to put Robert Costello on notice for his behavior. The judge warns Costello that any further attempts to undermine his authority will result in his removal from the stand and the striking of his entire testimony. This action underscores the seriousness with which the court treats contemptuous behavior and the potential consequences for those who fail to adhere to courtroom decorum. The court officers' professionalism in handling the situation is also highlighted, as they successfully clear and then re-admit the press to the courtroom.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Courtroom

A courtroom is a room where legal proceedings are held, typically presided over by a judge and involving lawyers, defendants, plaintiffs, and often a jury. In the context of the video, the courtroom is the central setting where the events unfold, with the judge, attorneys, and witnesses interacting within it. The script mentions the courtroom being cleared, indicating a significant disruption in the proceedings.

💡Judge Juan Merchan

Judge Juan Merchan is the presiding judge in the courtroom scenario described in the script. The judge plays a crucial role in maintaining order and decorum during the trial. The video highlights an incident where Judge Merchan reacts strongly to a witness's disrespectful behavior, demonstrating the judge's authority and the importance of respect within the courtroom.

💡Clear the Courtroom

The phrase 'clear the courtroom' refers to the action of removing all individuals except for the essential participants in a trial, such as the judge, lawyers, and witnesses. In the video, this action is taken by Judge Merchan due to the contemptuous behavior of the witness, Robert Costello, indicating a severe breach of courtroom etiquette.

💡Contempt

Contempt, in a legal context, refers to behavior that disrespects the authority of the court, disrupts proceedings, or shows disregard for the rules of the court. In the script, the witness Robert Costello is described as displaying contempt through his actions and words towards the judge, leading to a dramatic escalation in the courtroom.

💡Witness

A witness is a person who provides testimony or evidence in a legal proceeding. In the video, Robert Costello is the only witness testifying for Donald Trump's defense. His behavior on the witness stand is central to the conflict described in the script, as his contemptuous attitude towards the judge leads to a series of dramatic events.

💡Objection

In legal proceedings, an 'objection' is a formal disagreement with something that occurred during the trial, such as a line of questioning or a piece of evidence. The script describes several instances where objections are raised, and how Robert Costello reacts to them, which is a key point of contention in the video.

💡Defense Lawyer

A defense lawyer represents a defendant in a legal case, working to present evidence and arguments that counter the prosecution's case. The script mentions Robert Costello as a defense lawyer and his previous work with Rudy Giuliani, setting the context for his role and behavior in the courtroom.

💡Jury

A jury is a group of people sworn to render a verdict in a trial, based on the evidence presented. The video emphasizes the importance of the jury's respect for the judge and suggests that the witness's behavior could negatively impact their perception of the defense.

💡Michael Cohen

Michael Cohen is mentioned in the script as a person who considered retaining Robert Costello for his criminal defense but ultimately decided against it. His decision not to hire Costello is highlighted as a point of interest in the context of Costello's courtroom behavior.

💡Court Transcript

A court transcript is a written record of everything that is said in court, including testimonies, objections, and rulings by the judge. The script notes that the court reporter may have missed some of the rapid exchanges due to the chaotic events, indicating the importance of the transcript in capturing the proceedings.

💡Legal Etiquette

Legal etiquette refers to the customary rules of behavior expected in a court of law. The video discusses how Robert Costello's behavior violated these norms, leading to a loss of control in the courtroom and highlighting the significance of maintaining decorum during legal proceedings.

Highlights

Judge Juan Merchan's courtroom was unusually cleared, a rare event in legal proceedings.

The retired New York City judge in the audience had never had to clear his courtroom during his career.

In a multi-week trial, the courtroom becomes a community with the judge as its leader.

A good trial judge is efficient, accommodating to the jury, and treats them with respect.

Jurors often express strong positive feelings, such as 'I loved the judge', towards their trial judge.

The Trump defense's entire case rested on the testimony of attorney Robert Costello.

Robert Costello, a former federal prosecutor, was considered by Michael Cohen for his criminal defense but not hired.

Costello's behavior on the witness stand was disrespectful and drew the judge's ire.

Costello audibly objected to the judge's decision with an exclamation of 'Jeez', showing his disrespect.

Judge Merchan was visibly shocked by Costello's outburst and addressed it directly.

Costello's conduct led to a discussion about proper decorum in Judge Merchan's courtroom.

Judge Merchan put Costello on notice for his contemptuous behavior, threatening to strike his testimony.

The courtroom was cleared due to the press and audience's resistance to leaving, showing the gravity of the situation.

The court officers had to perform an unexpected task, demonstrating their professionalism and efficiency.

Michael Cohen testified that he did not hire Costello due to a lack of trust.

Cohen believed Costello would inform Giuliani and Trump about anything he shared with him.