All eyes turned to Robert Costello on Monday after he was called to the witness stand in former President Trump’s hush money trial and was quickly admonished by the judge for his courtroom behavior.
Minutes after Costello, a former legal adviser to ex-Trump fixer Michael Cohen, took the witness stand Monday, Judge Juan Merchan asked the jurors to leave the courtroom so he could admonish Costello over his behavior on the stand.
Costello and Merchan shared a tense exchange, and reporters were abruptly asked to leave the courtroom. At one point, Merchan demanded to know if he was being stared down by Costello.
The jury and reporters were permitted back inside minutes later without explanation, and Trump’s legal team began questioning Costello.
Costello is a former federal prosecutor turned defense lawyer who spent decades in New York’s legal sphere. In 2018, Costello briefly served as an adviser to Cohen as federal prosecutors criminally investigated him and his work on Trump’s behalf.
Costello allegedly offered to set up a back channel between Trump and Cohen via former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, who had just joined Trump’s legal team. (Read more: The Hill, 5/22/2024) (Archive)
Costello is showing the same level of respect to Merchan that the “Judge” has shown for the criminal code and the concept of blind justice throughout this case: NONE! https://t.co/Xnhic1OUMk
— Andrew H. Giuliani (@AndrewHGiuliani) May 20, 2024
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FIREWORKS!! Merchan says to Costello if he doesn’t like a ruling, don’t roll his eyes or say Jeez or strike it! And if you don’t like my ruling, you don’t give me side eyes! Costello says he understands. Merchan now asks if he’s staring him down, asking loudly. Judge and the witness leave the bench to go have what I’m sure is a spirited conversation behind closed doors.
BREAKING: There has been an extended back and forth between the Defense, Judge Merchan, and the Prosecution over Robert Costello’s impending testimony, resulting in delays. The Prosecution is trying to filibuster Costello from taking the stand, arguing that his testimony would…
— Paul Ingrassia (@PaulIngrassia) May 20, 2024
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BREAKING: There has been an extended back and forth between the Defense, Judge Merchan, and the Prosecution over Robert Costello’s impending testimony, resulting in delays. The Prosecution is trying to filibuster Costello from taking the stand, arguing that his testimony would be collateral and thus inadmissible under the rules of evidence. Bragg’s attorneys know that Costello will drive the nail in the coffin of their case, which is now on life support after Michael Cohen’s dumpster fire of a testimony this morning in which he admitted to lying to protect his personal interests, financially profiting off Trump and the trial, and stealing from the Trump Organization, among other damning revelations. Stay tuned!
WOW. The judge is clearing the courtroom after dressing down Robert Costello for rolling his eyes and muttering about his rulings. The press is pushing back at this. Court officials are yelling.
— Kaitlan Collins (@kaitlancollins) May 20, 2024
Judge Merchan Booted all the Reporters out and Shouts at Trump Defense Witness Robert Costello.
Merchan: Are you staring me down right now?
Costello: I’m not.
Merchan: GET OUT OF THE COURTROOM, NOW! GET OUT OF THE COURTROOM!It’s obvious that Corrupt Judge Merchan knew that… pic.twitter.com/V2Vg6mP2Tr
— ꪻꫝể ꪻꫝể (@TheThe1776) May 21, 2024
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Judge Merchan Booted all the Reporters out and Shouts at Trump Defense Witness Robert Costello. Merchan: Are you staring me down right now? Costello: I’m not. Merchan: GET OUT OF THE COURTROOM, NOW! GET OUT OF THE COURTROOM! It’s obvious that Corrupt Judge Merchan knew that they didn’t have a case with Robert Costello’s testimony, so he runs Interference for Bragg…
BREAKING: Trial now resumes after delay following fiery exchange between Merchan and Costello about courtroom conduct.
Merchan is absolutely seething over Costello’s damning testimony. The type of treatment Costello, an experienced prosecutor who once worked for the US…
— Paul Ingrassia (@PaulIngrassia) May 20, 2024
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BREAKING: Trial now resumes after delay following fiery exchange between Merchan and Costello about courtroom conduct.
Merchan is absolutely seething over Costello’s damning testimony. The type of treatment Costello, an experienced prosecutor who once worked for the US Attorney’s Office for New York in the 1970s and early 1980s, is receiving on the witness stand from the judge is disgusting.
Merchan is visibly perturbed, condescending, and downright abusive of the witness on the stand. Outrageous behavior from a judge, and totally inappropriate for any courtroom! No decorum whatsoever!