It's understandable. The prosecution wants to set some things up. But they also knew how uncontrollable Daniels is as a witness. Sort of like Trump-lite.
But I believe the defense has a higher bar to set for a true mistrial arguments to be held up on appeals. They are worried about what they call being unable to unring the bell. We shall see as the rest of the prosecution case is presented.
Reporting from inside the courthouse
The judge is on the bench. The defense is moving for a mistrial. This is not unusual for Trump's lawyers — in his civil fraud trial, his lawyers asked that a mistrial be called several times. They were unsuccessful.
Todd Blanche, one of Trump's lawyers, argues that the testimony was overly prejudicial, and that the government was asking questions “to inflame this jury,” in addition to the “pure embarrassment” factor. He says there’s no way the court can instruct the jury in a way to “unring this bell.”
Reporting from inside the courthouse
Justice Merchan says he’ll rule now. He says he agrees that it would have been better if Stormy Daniels hadn't gone in certain directions, and says as a witness she is “a little bit difficult to control.” He adds, “Having said that, I do think” that there were “guardrails in place.” He adds: “I dont think we’re at the point where a mistrial is warranted.”
Reporting from inside the courthouse
Merchan adds, “I was surprised that there were not more objections,” admonishing the defense team. “The defense has to take some responsibility for that,” he says, adding that he did all he could. “I objected on my own,” he says.
