We start the third week of the trial…
Judge Juan Merchan laments that the fines are NOT punitive for Trump due to limits in the law….
Nevertheless he does find Trump in contempt and levys a $9,000 fine….
(Trump should be able to pay that personally)
The judge goes on to lecture that a continuation of the contemptuous behaviour could land Trump in jail….
The judge also will allow Trump to travel to Florida to see his youngest son graduate high school….
“Defendant is hereby warned that the Court will not tolerate willful violations of its lawful orders and that if necessary and appropriate under the circumstances, it will impose an incarceratory punishment,” the judge wrote in an eight-page decision.
Before the hush money trial began in mid-April, the judge issued a gag order that bars Trump from publicly commenting about likely witnesses, jurors and other people involved in the case.
Prosecutors accused Trump of repeatedly violating the gag in the days leading up to the trial and during the trial itself. Trump posted social media messages attacking people including Michael Cohen and Stormy Daniels, who are expected to be key witnesses for the prosecution.
For instance, on April 13, Trump wrote on his social media site, Truth Social: “Has disgraced attorney and felon Michael Cohen been prosecuted for LYING?”
On April 17, during jury selection, Trump claimed to be quoting a Fox News host and wrote on Truth Social: “They are catching undercover Liberal Activists lying to the Judge in order to get on the Trump Jury.”…
…
Another contempt hearing on the remaining four alleged violations is set for Thursday….
Andrew Weissmann
Today: Donald Trump has been convicted of criminal contempt, 9 times, in NY Supreme Court.
Update
Appeals Court Denies Trump Bid to Have Judge Recused
“An appellate court has denied former President Trump’s bid to have Judge Juan Merchan recused from his hush money trial,” ABC News reports.
Update..,,
Trump Appears to Fall Asleep at Trial
Donald Trump “appears to have fallen asleep while listening to testimony — at times appearing to stir and then falling back to sleep,” NBC News reports.
“Trump’s eyes were closed for extended periods and his head has at times jerked in a way consistent with sleeping.”