In an unusual move, the judge Juan Merchan refused to disclose in advance the prosecution’s first three witnesses to donald trumpthe defense team at their silent trial.
Assistant District Attorney Joshua Steinglass unveiled the move Thursday in response to a request from Trump attorney Todd Blanche. Steinglass highlighted how much Trump posts about potential witnesses and even jurors, which has already affected jury selection.
“I can’t blame them for that,” Merchan said, agreeing with Steinglass. Merchan knows well Trump post historysince Trump attacked his daughter in the preceding weeks, resulting in a gag order. Trump supporters too done the ridiculous claim that he has a constitutional right to attack witnesses and jurors.
Merchan’s decision is unusual, according to legal analyst and former prosecutor Renato Mariotti, who observed which could be more effective than a fine.
Trump is facing 34 criminal charges for allegedly paying adult film actress Stormy Daniels before the 2016 election to cover up an alleged affair. The list of witnesses in the case includes several of his former employees of the Trump organization, as well as his former White House aide I hope Hicks.
The witnesses who may have the most damaging testimony include Daniels herselfas well as former Trump fixer and lawyer michael cohen, who reportedly made the payments at Trump’s request. Cohen and Daniels have been the target of Trump’s angry Truth Social posts, especially since the start of the trial process.
