Judge Warns Witness in Trump Hush Money Trial to Behave or Be Removed from Court

New York - The atmosphere in the courtroom during Donald Trump's hush money trial took a dramatic turn on Monday when the judge cleared the room of reporters and warned a defence witness about his behavior on the stand. The court transcript later revealed that Judge Juan M. Merchan had a heated exchange with Robert Costello, a former federal prosecutor, over his conduct during testimony.

Costello's behavior, including making comments under his breath and speaking out of turn after objections were sustained, prompted Judge Merchan to issue a stern warning. The judge called Costello's conduct "contemptuous" and threatened to remove him from the stand if his behavior continued. The tension in the courtroom escalated as Costello appeared defiant and dismissive, at one point calling the proceedings "ridiculous.

" Judge Merchan made it clear that he would not tolerate such behavior, especially in front of the jury. After clearing the courtroom of reporters, Judge Merchan confronted Costello about his conduct, emphasizing the seriousness of the situation. When the press was allowed back in, Costello's testimony resumed, but the tension between the defence witness and the judge lingered.

The defence team, led by Costello, was using his testimony to challenge the credibility of Trump's former attorney and now adversary, Michael Cohen. Trump's lawyers also made a last-ditch effort to persuade Judge Merchan to dismiss the charges before the case went to the jury, citing lack of evidence from the prosecution. Despite the defense's arguments, the judge did not immediately rule on the request to throw out the charges.

The day's proceedings also included a startling revelation from the prosecution's star witness, Michael Cohen, who admitted to stealing tens of thousands of dollars from Trump's company. As the trial entered a critical phase, with the possibility of closing arguments and jury deliberations looming, the courtroom drama continued to unfold. Cohen's testimony, detailing his involvement in the hush money payment to Stormy Daniels and other alleged schemes, painted a complex picture of the events leading up to the trial.

The defense, eager to discredit Cohen's claims, called Costello to the stand in an effort to undermine Cohen's credibility. Costello's testimony, detailing his interactions with Cohen and Trump regarding the hush money payment, offered a conflicting narrative to the prosecution's case. However, the courtroom dynamics shifted once again when Cohen admitted to stealing money from the Trump Organization, adding another layer of complexity to the trial.

The revelation stunned onlookers and raised questions about Cohen's credibility as a witness. As the trial neared its conclusion, with the possibility of Trump taking the stand still uncertain, the stakes were high for both the prosecution and the defense. The judge's decision on whether to allow the case to go to the jury would determine the fate of the former president in this historic trial.

With the potential for closing arguments and jury deliberations on the horizon, the courtroom drama in Trump's hush money trial continued to captivate observers and legal experts alike. The outcome of the trial could have far-reaching implications for Trump's legacy and the future of political and legal accountability in the United States.