Twelve people have been selected to serve as jurors in former President Donald Trump's criminal trial in New York, filling out the panel on the third day of proceedings.
On the bright side, it’s helping him less and less. Everyone knows what to expect, and this judge doesn’t seem to be very tolerant of his bullshit.
Before court ended for the day, Trump’s attorney Todd Blanche asked if the defense could find out the names of the first three witnesses prosecutors plan to call to the stand. Joshua Steinglass, a prosecutor in Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s office, replied that doing so is a courtesy they normally extend, but refused in this case.
“Mr. Trump has been tweeting about the witnesses. We’re not telling them who the witnesses are,” Steinglass said.
Merchan said he “can’t blame them.” Blanche seemed mystified, and asked if the defense is not going to find out who the witnesses are until they walk in the door. He offered to “commit to the court and the [prosecution] that President Trump will not [post] about any witness” on Truth Social, Trump’s social media platform.
“I don’t think you can make that representation,” Merchan said.
Blanche offered another solution: giving the witness names only to the lawyers, who wouldn’t share them with Trump.
“I’m not going to order them to do it, no,” said Merchan. “I’ll see you tomorrow morning.”
On the bright side, it’s helping him less and less. Everyone knows what to expect, and this judge doesn’t seem to be very tolerant of his bullshit.
I love this judge.