More fines?
Earlier in the day, Justice Juan Merchan signalled he might fine Trump over allegations he again violated a gag order that prohibits him from making public comments about jurors, witnesses, and families of the judge and prosecutors if those statements are meant to interfere with the case.
Justice Merchan challenged a defence assertion that Trump did not violate the gag order when he said the Manhattan jury was picked from a heavily Democratic area.
“I’m making an argument that he didn’t,” Trump lawyer Todd Blanche told the judge.
“Well I’m not agreeing with that argument,” Justice Merchan responded, without saying whether or when he would impose a fine.
Trump later claimed, inaccurately, that the gag order will prevent him from taking the witness stand to defend himself.
“I’m not allowed to testify because of an unconstitutional gag order,” he told reporters in the hallway outside the courtroom. The gag order does not prevent Trump from testifying at the trial.
Prosecutors are asking Justice Merchan to fine Trump US$4,000 for violating the gag order four times last week. In one instance, the Republican Trump said in a TV interview that “that jury was picked so fast – 95 per cent Democrats. The area’s mostly all Democrat.”
“By speaking about the jury at all, he places this proceeding in jeopardy,” prosecutor Christopher Conroy said.
Mr Conroy said Trump also violated the gag order by calling Mr Cohen a liar and former National Enquirer publisher David Pecker a “nice guy”. Mr Pecker testified last week and Mr Cohen is expected to be a crucial witness in the case.
Mr Blanche said there was “no threat” in what Trump said about Mr Pecker and said Mr Cohen, in his social media comments, has been “inviting, and almost daring” Trump to respond to his comments about the trial.
Justice Merchan declined to review a series of articles about the case that Trump wanted to post online. “When in doubt, steer clear,” the judge said, prompting Trump to shake his head and sigh.
