In a recent court hearing, Trump attorney Emil Bove attempted to argue a point regarding Michael Cohen's testimony about the agreement involving ex-National Enquirer publisher David Pecker. Bove wanted to use Cohen's statement that Pecker deemed the agreement 'bulletproof' and that Cohen relayed this to Trump as evidence of Trump's state of mind and intent to defraud.
However, Prosecutor Matthew Colangelo dismissed Bove's argument as a 'retread' of previously rejected points related to the presence of defense counsel. Judge Juan Merchan concurred with Colangelo, stating that the concept of 'presence of counsel' had now evolved into 'involvement of counsel.'
Merchan firmly shut down Bove's attempt to pursue this line of argument, emphasizing that his stance on the matter had not changed and expressing his disapproval of the persistence in raising the issue.
Colangelo also raised concerns about the adequacy of testimony provided by Pecker regarding the vetting of the agreement with Karen McDougal. Pecker's statement that the lawyer who reviewed the McDougal agreement was not fully informed about the situation led to doubts about the thoroughness of the legal scrutiny.
Merchan unequivocally stated that such arguments would not be presented to the jury or entertained in the courtroom, emphasizing a clear denial of the request. Despite Bove's attempt to complete the record, Merchan reiterated the rejection of the argument, highlighting the prolonged efforts to introduce it.
During the proceedings, Trump reacted to the judge's decision with a muttered comment, visibly displaying his disappointment as Merchan firmly stated that the argument would not be permitted.
