Appearing on CNN on Tuesday, May 14, three attorneys torched Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg’s case against former President Donald Trump, saying that it is not going well. Those comments came after “star witness” for the prosecution Michael Cohen was raked over the coals on cross-examination by Todd Blanche, defense attorney for former President Donald Trump.
Blanche, as background got Cohen to admit on cross that he is biased against the former president, who used to employ him as an attorney. It is Cohen who allegedly made the hush money payment to Daniels for Trump, with the recording of that payment for tax purposes being the basis of the case.
The three attorneys who spoke to CNN on the matter were criminal defense attorney Bill Brennan, a former lawyer for Trump, Carrie Cordero, a national security lawyer, and another former Trump attorney, Michael van der Veen. All suggested that DA Bragg is far from proving Trump’s guilt.
Brennan, for example, argued that Blanche would be able to eviscerate Cohen on cross-examination, telling CNN host Jake Tapper, “This witness is perfect for Todd Blanche, and all the people second-guessing each and every question, sit down, get your popcorn now, let Mr. Blanche do his job.”
Continuing, he explained how Cohen’s bias could impact DA Bragg’s case, saying, “And the judge will, will charge to this jury, Jake, that if a witness has a bias, or a skin in the game, you take that testimony with caution. The witness is supposed to say they robbed the bank, they drove the car, it was blue and it was raining out. Not I want him in jail, I got a little silly little tee shirt on. This Cohen is reprehensible.”
Mr. Cordero argued, when asked if the defense should rest its case after Cohen’s obliteration on cross, “I think there‘s a good argument in favor of [the defense resting its case].” He continued, “Unless they really think that there‘s something that comes out from Michael Cohen‘s testimony, I think at this point there would be a strong argument for the defense to just stand up and say, look, the prosecution hasn’t met its burden in this case. Here’s all the things that they have to prove. They haven‘t gotten there. And it’s time for everybody to go home. I don‘t know that they’ll do that, but I think there’s an argument in favor of that.”
Mr. van der Veen agreed with Cordero, arguing that while Trump might want to bring forward a bunch of witnesses, the best strategy would be to rest the case. He said, “I think he’d like to push, push, push and get as many witnesses on as he can, but I think the strategy is probably right.” He added, “This case hasn’t gone in the way I think it was billed to go in. So as the as the days go on and this case looks weaker and weaker, I think it‘s probably less that they have to put on for defense.”
Watch them here:
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