LogFAQs > #979921825

FFDragon posted...

also trump's trials, despite his rantings, aren't political!

...dammit you're right.

fine.

The entire morning (and a tiny bit after the lunch break) was them going through a bunch of pre-trial motions, not an exhaustive list, but some of the bigger ones IMO:

• Judge Merchan rejects Trump's motion to have Merchan recuse himself (again.)
• Court will lose a couple days for the observation of Passover (reporting seems confused about this I've seen one day from some, two from others)
• While the court will also not sit Wednesdays (I believe this is because Wednesday is when Merchan sits for a Mental Health Court) this may be changed if things start running long.
• Merchan denies Trump's requests to ask jurors questions not already on the (already massive) questionnaire
• Merchan allows the prosecution to introduce evidence regarding Trump's coordination with the National Enquirer over promoting stories bad for his opponents and suppressing stories bad for Trump.
• Merchan allows the prosecution to introduce evidence of Karen McDougal having a year-long affair with Trump. Rejects them introducing evidence that Melania was pregnant at the time.
• Merchan rejects the prosecution introducing the Access Hollywood tape but will allow them to introduce clips of Trump at his rallies denying the allegations.

The DA also is seeking to have Trump found in contempt of court for violating the gag order by attacking witnesses (Cohen mostly) on social media - they brought up 4 posts, including one this morning. They're seeking $1000 fine per post (it's the statutory maximum they can ask for in a criminal case for contempt) and for the posts to be taken down. Trump's lawyers, of course, are arguing it's all totally fine because "they attacked Trump" to which the judge was like "don't think i recall gag orders having an exception clause like that" but he's letting both sides submit written arguments and will hear arguments on it next week (which is too long IMO but it might be a schedule thing)

Anyway, at about 2 PM-ish they finally started bringing the juror candidates in. I think there's 500 total, 200 were called in to be ready today, and 96 in the first batch they brought in (seating limits I think.)