Trump's lawyer gets called out by the judge for trying to mislead the jury.

[riversedge]

Donald the crook, hires crooked lawyers!!


@peaceandteachin
Trump’s lawyer gets called out by the judge for trying to mislead the jury. While Pecker was on the stand being cross examined, trumps lawyers tried to present documents they say was Pecker’s earlier testimony. They were blank.

#Fresh #DemsUnited

Link to tweet

"Real embarrassment": Trump lawyer apologizes after judge called him out for "misleading" jury

https://www.newsbreak.com/news/3416833474213-real-embarrassment-trump-lawyer-apologizes-after-judge-called-him-out-for-misleading-jury?noAds=1&_f=app_share&s=i2

By Charles R. Davis, 18 hours ago



"Real embarrassment": Trump lawyer apologizes after judge called him out for "misleading" jury

By Charles R. Davis, 18 hours ago

It was a pretty good day for Donald Trump and his defense team. David Pecker, the former National Enquirer publisher, was seen by jurors as being a little fuzzy on the details of a key moment: an August 2015 meeting where prosecutors say he, Michael Cohen and the former president conspired to break campaign finance laws by cementing an agreement to "catch-and-kill" potentially damning stories about the Republican candidate.

During cross examination, Trump attorney Emil Bove pressed the witness on why he was now testifying that Hope Hicks — then-director of the Trump campaign's communications team — was "in and out" of that Trump Tower meeting when he had previously told federal investigators that she was not there. Bove then handed Pecker a document that the attorney said would refresh his memory.

But that document appears to have been more of a prop than a piece of evidence. After jurors left the room Thursday, and following objections from the prosecution, Judge Juan Merchan accused Bove of leaving the jury with a false impression.

"If there wasn't anything in that document, it's misleading," Merchan said, as HuffPost reported. "I'm going to ask you to be very careful with that."

When Bove sought to defend himself, Merchan cut him off. "Mr. Bove, are you missing my point?"

Norm Eisen, an attorney and CNN legal analyst, said that moment undid whatever good may have been accomplished Thursday from the defense's perspective.
.....................

[Old Crank]

1. Should have tossed him in jail

Over the weekend for contempt.

Then shown the jury his fake evidence.

[Traurigkeit]

2. Falsifying information - the reason there is a Trial in the first place - even TSF's lawyers are criminals

[jaxexpat]

4. If complete and thorough revelation of facts in a case were the standard for legal representation.........

how many attorneys would be classified as criminals?

[Bernardo de La Paz]

6. Standard is defence doesn't have to show anything. But tRump lawyer IS out of line

I have a feeling you understand this.

The blank document trick is one that tRump has used many times for the media. There was the blank briefing book or legislative plans in a 60 minutes interview of a key GOP woman, if I remember correctly. There was the sheaf of papers tRump waved at the media a few days ago. There was another incident when tRump had stacks of blank papers; might have been his purported tax return or his plans for tax legislation.

The tRump lawyer is lucky to not have been barred from the courtroom for such a shady trick, for the deception which is essentially a lie.

But defence lawyers are not required to present a "complete and thorough revelation of facts". Not one bit. They don't have to say anything or present any witnesses or question any witness.

The prosecution has a duty to present the facts. The defence has a duty to attack the prosecution's presentation, if they feel it is to their client's advantage to do so. They don't have to present anything.

But over-arching it all is that all parties must be clear and not deceive (other than the defence is allowed to ignore facts or not present facts). Waving paper and claiming it is what it is not is deception.

[PatSeg]

21. Trump is a showman and a con artist

It is understandable that he would hire lawyers who pull the same deceptive tricks that he does. Judge Merchan is sharp and knows what kind of people he is dealing with. He's not going to let them get away with their Trump-style ploys. I'm sure they would be far worse if the trial was televised.

[jaxexpat]

34. Oh. I totally get it. The guilty walk away if evidence of their guilt remains hidden from the court, ......

.....even if their attorney has knowledge or proof of it. I think the system is its own worst enemy regarding verdicts based on the finding of fact. I'm not speaking of this case, specifically, but more as a general observation and critique of our system. It seems the way it is set up there is no way it could avoid becoming a two-tiered apparatus with the wealthiest predictably experiencing the most beneficial results for their interests. Simply put, the attorney most skillful in hiding and preventing the production of facts which would harm their client's interests will receive the highest compensation for his labor. Thus, as a rule, the misapplication of justice under the law is a common and well-worn path to money, fame, multigenerational prestige and political power. With that being the case, is it any wonder we are a desiccated society of wealth-worshiping materialists intrinsically subjected to injustice and exposed to corruption from the powerful among us?

Perhaps, if the duty of the prosecution and the defense, both, was solely to determine facts, aspects and conditions while depending on the statutes for meeting the needs of justice based on those facts, laws would be more respected and subject to universal trust/obedience. Just an idea I have trouble finding fault with.

[tblue37]

54. It was kayleigh mcenany with the blank briefing book, I think.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

58. Thanks for confirming and refreshing my memory. . . . nt

[Irish_Dem]

9. Tump never hires honest people.

In job interviews Trump must ask the applicant, tell me about all the laws you have broken.
And how good a liar and cheat you are.

[PatSeg]

17. That is true

A honest person could be a liability for someone like Trump. That said, Trump wouldn't be able to find a honest lawyer to represent him. I'm sure he had a hard time finding any lawyer that would represent him.

[Irish_Dem]

19. Yes an honest employee is very dangerous to Trump.

And also worthless.

If you won't break the law, lie, cheat and steal, what good are you to Trump.

[PatSeg]

22. Good point

If you work for Trump, I'm quite sure you would have to cross lines on a daily basis.

[Irish_Dem]

27. Yes everyone who works for Trump has to be willing to be a crook.

From the highest level to the lowest level employee.

[PatSeg]

29. All part of being loyal to Trump

[Irish_Dem]

30. Definitely a mafia style operation.

[PatSeg]

31. Without the competence and discipline

[Irish_Dem]

33. Yes very smart sociopaths don't go to jail.

They run for political office and make the law.

[PatSeg]

36. Trump is too big of a showman

He is so starved for attention, that he advertises what a huge crook he is. It is like he has a sign on his back, "I'm a lawbreaker, catch me if you can".

[Irish_Dem]

38. He has an animal cunning and a charm that makes him seem harmless.

But he is lazy, undisciplined, uneducated, and cannot see the big picture.

Yes his narcissism is his downfall. His huge ego and delight in breaking the law is the ruin of him.
It is all too emotional.

He needed to make it just business, not personal, not love to get one over on others.
And learn to keep his mouth shut.

I guarantee that there are very smart sociopaths right now taking notes, and learning some lessons.
On how to turn the US into a dictatorship.

Of course Trump could still pull it off.
Forces are still in play to help install him again.

[PatSeg]

43. Sums him up perfectly

I suppose the one advantage that we have is his age. Most tyrants or dictator wannabes started much younger than him.

I don't see him being a long term threat. He would either become incapacitated or dead in a few years. That said, things could be set up for someone else to move into his place, someone smarter and more disciplined.

Once our institutions are neutralized and/or dismantled, it would be very difficult to restore our democracy. It has happened all over the world. We were naive to believe it could not happen here.

[Irish_Dem]

46. Yes that is in our favor. Trump's age.

But dictators usually install their heirs to take over.

However Trump's kids are held in low esteem by most of the population.

Of course that doesn't mean anything in a dictatorship.
They get installed anyway.

And yes the dismantling of the US government, installation of corrupt puppets is ongoing.

Everything is being put into place for the next Trump.
This time someone much different.
Talented, educated, big picture kind of guy.
Appeals to everyone. Charming and appropriate.
But a heart made of stone.

[PatSeg]

48. Yep

[sop]

20. Typical mafia job interview.

[Irish_Dem]

28. Yes, exactly. Your resume has to list all the crimes you have committed.

How clever, cunning, devious, ruthless you are.
And how loyal you will be to a new boss.

[barbtries]

3. seems obvious

that tsf is directing his own defense. i guess once you've been on the grift for over 70 years you just run out of ideas. which begs the question don't these attorneys know any better? does tsf hypnotize people against their will or what?

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/donald-trump-press-conference-folders-business-plan-empire-blank-fake-handover-donald-jr-eric-conflict-interests-a7523426.html

several other sources were paywalled.

?si=7la17EosRbiPP8J7

[Irish_Dem]

10. The case is about Trump telling other people to lie and cheat.

And we can see Trump is telling the attorneys representing him to lie and cheat.

I hope the jury figures it out.

[PatSeg]

23. Also it could be that

Trump hires kindred souls. Who else would work for him at this point? That said, yes it does sound like a ploy that Trump would use. I can imagine him throwing tantrums and demanding that his lawyers do what he wants in the courtroom.

[Irish_Dem]

35. Yes of course. Criminals hire other criminals to work with them.

Yes I think Trump is running the show.
If the attorneys don't do his bidding, he tells them he won't pay them.

[PatSeg]

37. Exactly

[Irish_Dem]

39. But then he will still stiff them in the end anyway.

After he has humiliated them and talked them into breaking the law.

His attorney Blanche has no credibility left.

[PatSeg]

44. Yeah, when he goes down,

he will be taking a whole lot of people with him. It is his M.O.

[Irish_Dem]

47. Yes.

He is going to blame everyone.
He will protect no one.

And he will delight in doing it.

[PatSeg]

49. Yet another indication

that he is unlike most successful mob bosses or tyrants. Eventually, he alienates everyone. He was evidently programmed from a very young age to fail. Yes, he likes taking people down, even the ones who adore him. Exceptions of course would be strongmen like Putin.

This man burns bridges unlike anything I've seen before. I suppose he thinks that if people idolize him, there must be something really wrong with them and they deserve his scorn. Jeff Sessions comes to mind. It wasn't just because Sessions recused himself from the Russia investigation that he was fired. Sessions was too fawning and obsequious which Trump perceives as weakness.

This is why, Trump will end up very much alone. If people aren't repulsed by him, it is likely he will eventually reject them.

[Irish_Dem]

52. Yes but he always finds new flying monkeys.

People captivated by his personality, power and money. Or the pretense of it.

Trump's father kept bailing him out. Every time Trump screwed up, his father took care of everything.
So Trump never had to learn any lessons. Didn't learn how to be successful or get along with others.

So then when the GOP, billionaires and Putin were looking for a useful idiot, they found Trump.
And like this father they just kept covering up for him and making him look successful in politics.
And Trump himself believes all the hype.
Such a narcissist.

[PatSeg]

53. But a part of him knows it is not real

and that some day it will all unravel.

[Irish_Dem]

55. Sociopaths tend to know this. Narcissists don't.

Trump is both a sociopath and a narcissist.
Both are very strong, but I think his narcissism calls the shots.

Narcissists truly believe they are special and entitled.
They believe it is all going to work out for them because others will see how special they are.

[PatSeg]

56. There are times when I see uncertainty

Even fear on his face. I think the narcissist is slowly losing ground. The little boy in Trump still feels the fear.

[Irish_Dem]

57. Yes I see that too.

Sociopaths know they are breaking the law.
And they know they could get caught.
That is why they make others do their crimes if they can.
And hide everything.

So they know they the law might come after them.
So this part of Trump can face reality and become afraid.
This is when sociopaths start to really act out.

Trump is fairly complex in some ways.
He has so many things going on.
Two severe personality disorders.
Severe long term drug addiction.
And now the dementia and cognitive slippage.

These are all tangled up with each other, so it is not easy deciding
what pathology we are looking at in any given moment.

But yes I think he is afraid on some level.
And that is why he is going to keep acting out more and more.
The judge will have to jail him.
The judge could start with a few hours or a few days and see if that works.
I don't think it will. But that is where the judge should start.

[kimbutgar]

50. Sleazies hangs out with sleaziers

The guy looks like such an odious sleaze

[sop]

24. "Does tsf hypnotize people against their will or what?"

It's always been a mystery to me how so many supposedly intelligent people have fallen under his spell. All I hear is bullshit and more bullshit when Trump speaks. There must be another side to Trump, one that only comes out during private meetings.

[PatSeg]

41. It is mindboggling

Funny, I've used that word more since Trump entered politics than I have in my entire life. I am still amazed at the people who have fallen for his BS, but I don't really think there is another Donald Trump that comes out in private, well other than the one who throws major temper tantrums.

My bullshit detector picked up on him the first time I heard him speak. He doesn't disguise who he really is. Perhaps some of the more intelligent people who seem to be enamored with him are opportunists like he is or perhaps his hate, sexism, and racism validates their own.

I don't understand it entirely and it is possible I never will. It is a phenomenon that happens periodically throughout history, one that puzzles historians and sociologists. One thing that we do know is that it has happened before and it will probably happen again, unless humanity evolves beyond that mentality. Don't see that happening in my lifetime though.

[Think. Again.]

5. Maybe it's more fuel for trump to be able to ....

...claim he has to fire his attorney and start the case over. Delay, delay, delay.

[lastlib]

7. At this point, only the judge could remove the attorneys.....

They have filed as the attorneys of record, so they are there for the duration unless judge rules otherwise.

[Think. Again.]

18. Yeah, I assumed the judge would have to decide that...

...but we'll just have to wait and see if trump is planning on requesting it or not. I wouldn't put it past him to wait a little while, have his attorney do somethng else stupid, and then request it when it would cause the biggest problems for the case.

[Irish_Dem]

8. The jury now knows Trump's attorney is a liar and a cheat.

[unblock]

11. I don't even understand this one. Did they think this would work?

If I'm in the witness box and a lawyer presents me with a blank sheet of paper and says "maybe this will jog your memory" I'm gonna say "uhh, this is just a blank piece of paper"

As I think pretty much anyone would. Never mind that the judge would probably notice and probably should insist on looking at anything a lawyer presents to a witness anyway.

Did they really think pecker would look at a blank sheet of paper and just say oh yeah, I take it all back?

Just about the only thing I can imagine making sense is that it's a threat, like Donnie once told pecker that if I ever show you a blank piece of paper, it means I'm erasing you and your family. That's wild speculation, of course, but I can't think of anything else that makes sense.

[3Hotdogs]

13. Doesn't an attorney have to show documents to opposing counsel before introducing it to the jury?

Bove: "Pecker, does this document help refresh your memory?"

Prosecutor: "Objection. May I examine the document?

Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, THE FUCKIN' PAPER IS BLANK. There's nothing on it."


That would be better than Bove's apology to the jury.

[thesquanderer]

40. It was not a blank piece of paper.

There's nothing in the article indicating it was blank. As far as I've seen, that's just from random commenters/tweeters, who probably misinterpreted the part of the article that said it "did not actually contain relevant information" and Merchan saying “If there wasn’t anything in that document, it’s misleading,” which in that context would mean he was talking about there not being anything relevant in that document, not that it was a blank piece of paper. Really, nobody would even say something like "there's nothing in that document" if the document were actually a blank piece of paper. It wouldn't even be a document, if it's blank paper.

[unblock]

42. Good point and I agree. Still, not sure that changes much.

If pecker looks at it and says this doesn't have anything to do with my testimony or this document isn't what you said it was.

[thesquanderer]

45. my guess, the doc probably had some references to comments Pecker had made about the meeting and hope hicks...

...but didn't actually say what the lawyer was claiming it said. The lawyer could have just been hoping to rattle Pecker, who might have then poorly stumbled through some answer about what he did and didn't actually say there, in attempting to show the lawyer his "mistake." But... who knows. Nothing makes total sense here, there is probably some relevant part of this we don't know.

[unblock]

51. Agreed. Guess we've reached point of pointless speculation...

[3Hotdogs]

12. The most famous "Blank document" episode in U.S. history. "Tail Gunner" Joe McCarthy -- Wheeling W.V. Feb. 9, 1950.

He was giving a speech and realized he had nothing to say. So, -- "I have in my hand a list of 205.. a list of names that were make known to the Secretary of State as being members of the Communist Party and who nevertheless are still working and shaping policy in the State Department."

Thus began the commie witch hunt that ruined careers of many people.

Nobody ever got the see the list. I believe his wife put it in the laundry by mistake.

[Cyrano]

14. The jury was out of the room, so how do

they know it was a blank piece of paper. Shouldn't the judge tell them that?

[oldsoftie]

15. My thought too. nt

[unblock]

25. Lawyer shows witness blank sheet of paper. Judge notices.

Judge send jury out of the room so the judge and lawyers can discuss the matter out of earshot. Judge tells lawyer he has to apologize to jury. Jury is brought back. Lawyer apologizes.

Presumably the lawyer was made to explain that it was a blank sheet of paper, or at least that it wasn't the evidence he claimed it was.

[riversedge]

32. I read that and wondered also but I do not see in the article that the Judge informed the jury. damn

[bucolic_frolic]

16. Empty papers are subliminal message

"There nothing there." An attempt to work on the weakest jurist? You only need one.

[Icanthinkformyself]

26. Framing

is a tell. How is it that the attorney being called out for trying to mislead the court and jury be ''a pretty good day' for the attorney and client? And, the pages were not 'blank', meaning empty, nothing on them. The papers did not have the statements and comments in them that the attorney claimed were there. A bad stenographer makes for very poor reporting and misleading articles. No wonder the media is so bad.