A veteran lawyer witnessed what he described as the most shocking moment of his 60-year legal career during the Trump trial in Manhattan.
A seasoned attorney, Alan Dershowitz, shared his trial experience in the Daily Mail, pointing out what he perceived as dishonesty by Michael Cohen and partiality by Judge Juan Merchan.
Dershowitz attended the trial on May 20, 2024, where Michael Cohen, Trump’s former lawyer, testified against the former president. Cohen denied any financial benefit if Trump were convicted.
However, Dershowitz pointed out Cohen's various ventures capitalizing on his anti-Trump stance, including a reality TV show, books, podcasts, and merchandise. Cohen had also admitted to stealing from the Trump Organization, further casting doubt on his credibility.
Cohen's Testimony Raises Questions
Cohen's testimony included a phone call about Stormy Daniels, which Trump's lawyer, Todd Blanche, scrutinized.
Blanche questioned whether the call, lasting one minute and 36 seconds, could cover both a harassment update and details about Daniels. Cohen insisted he informed Trump about Daniels during that brief call, but Blanche dismissed his claim, emphasizing the jury’s need for factual evidence, not beliefs.
Dershowitz asserted that Cohen's testimony lacked solid evidence against Trump. He criticized Judge Merchan for limiting the testimony of Robert Costello, a former Cohen legal adviser, calling the judge's rulings biased. Dershowitz felt the judge's actions hindered Trump’s defense and described the courtroom atmosphere as prejudiced against Trump.
Judge's Bias Under Scrutiny
Dershowitz described a tense moment when Judge Merchan ordered court police to clear the room after Costello expressed surprise over the judge's rulings. Dershowitz, who was not asked to leave, stayed and observed what he perceived as the judge’s bias against Trump. He recounted the judge's outburst, where Merchan accused Costello of raising his eyebrows and staring, likening the judge’s reaction to paranoia.
In a notable moment, Merchan threatened to exclude all of Costello's testimony from the trial. Dershowitz was shocked by this potential punishment, arguing that denying Trump an opportunity to present evidence due to a witness’s behavior was unethical and unconstitutional. He emphasized that Trump should not be held responsible for Costello’s actions.
Implications For The Trial And Beyond
Dershowitz expressed concern over the judge's conduct and the overall fairness of the trial. He noted that despite the prosecution’s weak case and the judge’s perceived bias, Trump could still be convicted due to the predominantly anti-Trump jury pool in Manhattan.
Dershowitz suggested that if Trump were found guilty, he would have a strong basis for appeal, potentially reversing any miscarriage of justice before the 2024 election.
The trial revolves around allegations that Trump falsified business records to hide a hush money payment to Stormy Daniels during his 2016 presidential campaign. Dershowitz argued that the evidence presented so far does not support the accusations against Trump. He called for the judge to dismiss the case, stating that the jury should not consider Cohen’s unreliable testimony.
Dershowitz reiterated his shock at the trial proceedings and the judge's apparent prejudice. He emphasized the importance of a fair legal process and hoped that justice would prevail, regardless of personal biases.
Conclusion
Alan Dershowitz's experience at the Trump trial in Manhattan revealed what he described as deceit by Michael Cohen and bias by Judge Juan Merchan. Cohen’s testimony, which included financial gains from anti-Trump ventures, lacked solid evidence against Trump. Dershowitz criticized the judge for limiting key testimony and displaying apparent prejudice.
He called for the trial to be dismissed due to the unreliable nature of Cohen's testimony. The trial's outcome remains uncertain, but Dershowitz's observations highlight significant concerns about its fairness and potential implications for Trump’s future.
