Law, Power, and Justice

Morning News Notes: Trump Trial

CNN

• Costello being examined by the prosecution. 
• The dreadful (full of himself) Elie Honig is back on CNN.  He spent yesterday along with Tapper, hawking the “bombshell” narrative of Cohen’s testimony.  Last night Norm Eisen just laughed at him for this theory Honig was still pumping.
• Oh, great CNN has another Trump lawyer on the panel, William J. Brennan.
• Costello told Cohen he had “friends in high places.” 
• Ohhhh Goddddd Tapper is at it again, talking about the “stunning” admission by Cohen of “larceny.”  He just can’t stop it.  I bet he stayed awake all night arguing this to himself.  Please. 
• There is criticism of the defense for even calling a witness, much less Costello.
• Costello wants Cohen as a client.  Cohen distrusts him (as Cohen testified).   Costello is trying to keep Cohen quiet at the beginning of the investigation.
• Costello says out job is to get Cohen on the right page without giving him the impression we are following orders from Giuliani or Trump.
• “Snatching defeat from the jaws of victory.”  This is how Brennan is describing this testimony by Costello.
• Prosecution is going through Costello’s emails to other people.
• Costello cross over.  Re-direct.

Trump Trial: MSNBC

• Pretty damning testimony for the defense. 
• Prosecutor asked Costello about his close relationship with Giuliani.  Refuting what Costello said on stand, emails show Costello told Cohen he was very close with Giuliani.
• You were upset that he was “playing you?”  No.  “Playing the president?”  No.  “He is playing with us and the President.  What should I say to this A-hole.”  This is an email from Costello to another. 
• Costello tries to put himself on Cohen’s team, to direct action.
• Commentator Charles Coleman: “They are trying to snatch a mistrial out of the jaws of a conviction.”  Attorneys can be too smart for themselves.   “this is all falling apart.”
• “Costello lost control of Cohen for President Trump?” 
• Documents are undercutting Costello’s testimony.  It was a mistake for the defense to go there.
• Costello Re-direct: Costello emailed his son that he was all but in as Cohen’s lawyer.  The comments about being played were to Costello’s law partner.  Costello and Bove are implying that Costello thought he was the lawyer and that was the explanation of the “being played” email.  (Note: Right)
• Coleman: When witnesses seem entitled and have something better to do, it usually offends the jurors. 
• There will be a charging conference  to determine jury instructions.