Judge Juan Merchan sharply admonished a witness, telling him his conduct was « contemptuous. »
A judge’s angry criticism of a witness in Donald Trump’s hush money trial was far more damaging than imposing a fine, a legal expert has said.
Judge Juan Merchan was so angry with lawyer, Robert Costello, he cleared the courtroom of reporters and admonished him for rolling his eyes, interjecting with comments from the witness stand and calling for some comments to be stricken from the record.
« If you don’t like my ruling, you don’t say, ‘Jeez!’ » Merchan said, when reporters were still in the room. He told Costello that he had no right to call for anything said in court to be stricken from the record.
« Do you understand that? » Merchan asked Costello and then angrily added: « Are you staring me down right now? »
« Clear the courtroom, please. Clear the courtroom, » Merchan ordered.
When reporters left the room, Merchan told Costello: « Your conduct is contemptuous right now.
