# Manhattan Prosecutors file criminal charges for Trump re Stormy Daniels case - ongoing discussion here (Guilty on all 34 counts, May 30, 2024) **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Tags:** trump\ **Created:** [March 9, 2023, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/manhattan-prosecutors-file-criminal-charges-for-trump-re-stormy-daniels-case-ongoing-discussion-here-guilty-on-all-34-counts-may-30-2024/980953 "2023-03-09T22:53:57Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 130
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2024, 3:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/manhattan-prosecutors-file-criminal-charges-for-trump-re-stormy-daniels-case-ongoing-discussion-here-guilty-on-all-34-counts-may-30-2024/980953/2581 "2024-04-30T03:30:14Z")
Or thrown under one? ---
**Author:** ![Ferris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ferris/32/11573_2.png) [@Ferris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ferris)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2024, 3:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/manhattan-prosecutors-file-criminal-charges-for-trump-re-stormy-daniels-case-ongoing-discussion-here-guilty-on-all-34-counts-may-30-2024/980953/2582 "2024-04-30T03:47:20Z")
Thanks - I was tending toward thinking CNN were scaremongering to a degree, and the fact that there’s case law behind these sorts of decisions is rather reassuring. Makes me think the prosecution will tread carefully but very thoroughly if Don the Con ever testifies. ---
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2024, 4:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/manhattan-prosecutors-file-criminal-charges-for-trump-re-stormy-daniels-case-ongoing-discussion-here-guilty-on-all-34-counts-may-30-2024/980953/2583 "2024-04-30T04:42:56Z")
While the defense will spend his entire testimony shitting themselves airborne that he doesn’t blurt out anything stupidly unrelated that opens doors for the prosecution to ask about. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2024, 7:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/manhattan-prosecutors-file-criminal-charges-for-trump-re-stormy-daniels-case-ongoing-discussion-here-guilty-on-all-34-counts-may-30-2024/980953/2584 "2024-04-30T07:15:34Z")
> [@Moriarty](#): > > > [@Ferris](#): > > > > Is there much to this opinion, that cross-examining Trump on acts unrelated to the charges he faces might ‘chill’ his right to testify? > > > > [CNN article](https://edition.cnn.com/2024/04/29/opinions/harvey-weinstein-conviction-overturned-trump-trial-walden-paul/index.html) > > To address this: > > We all know that donald is going to appeal if he loses. That’s a given (although it should be noted that an appeal of a criminal conviction does not delay sentencing). > > One issue that he can certainly raise on appeal concerns the admissibility of “other bad acts”. > > The law does _not_ allow the prosecution to introduce evidence of other wrongs in order to show that the defendant has a propensity for crime, or that he’s a bad guy. > > But it can be introduced for _other_ reasons. > > Here, the judge decided that, if donald testifies, certain other bad things can be asked about (such as his defamation loss). The judge decided that these go to Donald’s _credibility_ (which would be a permissible reason to allow it in). > > An appellate court will likely be presented with the argument that this was a mistake, and therefore denied donald a fair trial. > > I, personally, don’t think this will be successful. This issue with allowing prior transgressions for certain purposes, but not others, has a _ton_ of case law behind it. I have little doubt that the DA thoroughly briefed the issue, and the judge based his decision on sold case law. > > But it is an area of review (and this was the reason that Harvey Weinstein had his New York conviction overturned on appeal: some evidence of other bad acts was going to be used if Weinstein testified, but the appellate court deemed it improper). It’s probably moot, as I don’t expect that the America-hating fuckstick is GOING to testify; ergo there will be no cross-examination. But at least Jim Walden and Deanna Paul got paid to write an op-ed, so they’ve got that going for them. Which is nice. ---
**Author:** ![Smid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/838e76/32.png) [@Smid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smid)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2024, 9:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/manhattan-prosecutors-file-criminal-charges-for-trump-re-stormy-daniels-case-ongoing-discussion-here-guilty-on-all-34-counts-may-30-2024/980953/2585 "2024-04-30T09:27:54Z")
> [@Moriarty](#): > > “I decided I was more loyal to America and my family than to Trump. The biggest mistake I made was being his lawyer.” I really hope the court artist captures the look on the faces of the defence lawyers if this sentence is spoken… ---
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2024, 10:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/manhattan-prosecutors-file-criminal-charges-for-trump-re-stormy-daniels-case-ongoing-discussion-here-guilty-on-all-34-counts-may-30-2024/980953/2586 "2024-04-30T10:26:58Z")
I know that on Monday, the court was dark, and nothing happened. Then we’ve got Tuesday, and on Wednesday, the court will be dark, and nothing will happen. Will we get back to regular M-T and Th-F, 9:30 to 4:30 after that? I have a feeling that Trump is just itching to get on the stand. I’m sure that he feels that once he gets to tell his story—which will no doubt be “stolen rigged election,” “Stormy’s a golddigger,” “Democrats cheat,” “Bragg’s being paid off by Democrats,” and similar—that Biden will be deposed, and Trump will be crowned King for Life. Undoubtedly, he will be lobbed softballs by his defense team that opens up such claims, but the prosecution’s going to have to be on their toes on cross-exam, in order to separate the wheat from the chaff. ---
**Author:** ![Stratocaster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stratocaster/32/16393_2.png) [@Stratocaster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stratocaster)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2024, 10:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/manhattan-prosecutors-file-criminal-charges-for-trump-re-stormy-daniels-case-ongoing-discussion-here-guilty-on-all-34-counts-may-30-2024/980953/2587 "2024-04-30T10:37:35Z")
> [@kaylasdad99](#): > > It’s probably moot, as I don’t expect that the America-hating fuckstick is GOING to testify; ergo there will be no cross-examination. I think the appeal argument is that Trump may well have testified if only the judge hadn’t improperly said he’d permit certain lines of questioning. So it wouldn’t be moot just because he didn’t take the stand. Moriarty’s explanation tamped down my anxiety from reading the article, because on its surface it sounded like a solid argument. ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2024, 10:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/manhattan-prosecutors-file-criminal-charges-for-trump-re-stormy-daniels-case-ongoing-discussion-here-guilty-on-all-34-counts-may-30-2024/980953/2588 "2024-04-30T10:43:23Z")
Trump said that he wanted to testify. That should be all anyone needs to hear in order to know that Trump is never going to testify. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_Bravo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_bravo/32/493_2.png) [@Johnny\_Bravo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Bravo)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2024, 11:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/manhattan-prosecutors-file-criminal-charges-for-trump-re-stormy-daniels-case-ongoing-discussion-here-guilty-on-all-34-counts-may-30-2024/980953/2589 "2024-04-30T11:11:46Z")
And he’ll soon be whining that the corrupt judge refuses to let him testify because the court is scared to let him speak. ---
**Author:** ![Love\_Rhombus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/love_rhombus/32/10694_2.png) [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2024, 11:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/manhattan-prosecutors-file-criminal-charges-for-trump-re-stormy-daniels-case-ongoing-discussion-here-guilty-on-all-34-counts-may-30-2024/980953/2590 "2024-04-30T11:25:56Z")
I wonder if anyone’s analyzed how much “campaigning” on the Courthouse steps hurts him (financially, politically) vs. real campaigns like rallies and such. There’s no way to know, I suppose. ---
**Author:** ![rocking\_chair](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rocking_chair/32/2918_2.png) [@rocking\_chair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rocking_chair)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2024, 1:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/manhattan-prosecutors-file-criminal-charges-for-trump-re-stormy-daniels-case-ongoing-discussion-here-guilty-on-all-34-counts-may-30-2024/980953/2591 "2024-04-30T13:13:40Z")
eric trump is joining his father in court today. looks like the “no family members” in the courthouse stung a bit. also reporting is that trump wants his lead attorney to attack everyone and everything. the witnesses, the judge, the jury. he just doesn’t get it and is making it easier to find the prosecution’s case proven. ---
**Author:** ![Love\_Rhombus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/love_rhombus/32/10694_2.png) [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2024, 1:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/manhattan-prosecutors-file-criminal-charges-for-trump-re-stormy-daniels-case-ongoing-discussion-here-guilty-on-all-34-counts-may-30-2024/980953/2592 "2024-04-30T13:16:39Z")
For those who might not remember Hope Hicks and her role in Trump’s campaign both in front of and behind the camera. > **[Who is Hope Hicks and how is she connected to Trump's hush money case?](https://abcnews.go.com/US/hope-hicks-connected-trumps-hush-money-case/story?id=109650524)** > > Hope Hicks is expected to testify in Donald Trump's Manhattan hush money trial. She served as his 2016 campaign press secretary and held senior roles in the White House. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2024, 1:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/manhattan-prosecutors-file-criminal-charges-for-trump-re-stormy-daniels-case-ongoing-discussion-here-guilty-on-all-34-counts-may-30-2024/980953/2593 "2024-04-30T13:20:09Z")
> [@rocking\_chair](#): > > also reporting is that trump wants his lead attorney to attack everyone and everything. the witnesses, the judge, the jury. What does this even mean and how would anyone outside of him and his lawyers even know this? How would his lawyers attack the jury? ---
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2024, 1:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/manhattan-prosecutors-file-criminal-charges-for-trump-re-stormy-daniels-case-ongoing-discussion-here-guilty-on-all-34-counts-may-30-2024/980953/2594 "2024-04-30T13:23:21Z")
“Come on, be aggressive! Roy Cohn knew how it works! Go on the attack! Everybody! Judge, jury, everyone!” “How are we supposed to attack the jury, sir?” “I don’t know! Those are details! You’re the attorney, you figure it out!” (attorney silently prays for death and hopes the check clears) ---
**Author:** ![Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/q.q.switcheroo/32/5713_2.png) [@Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.Q.Switcheroo)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2024, 1:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/manhattan-prosecutors-file-criminal-charges-for-trump-re-stormy-daniels-case-ongoing-discussion-here-guilty-on-all-34-counts-may-30-2024/980953/2595 "2024-04-30T13:26:03Z")
> [@hajario](#): > > How would his lawyers attack the jury? “I’ll kill you! I’ll kill all of you! Especially those of you on the jury!” ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2024, 1:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/manhattan-prosecutors-file-criminal-charges-for-trump-re-stormy-daniels-case-ongoing-discussion-here-guilty-on-all-34-counts-may-30-2024/980953/2596 "2024-04-30T13:29:44Z")
> [@rocking\_chair](#): > > eric trump is joining his father in court today. looks like the “no family members” in the courthouse stung a bit. They also seem to have mobilized a larger than normal group of pro Trump supporters outside the courtroom today. ---
**Author:** ![rocking\_chair](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rocking_chair/32/2918_2.png) [@rocking\_chair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rocking_chair)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2024, 1:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/manhattan-prosecutors-file-criminal-charges-for-trump-re-stormy-daniels-case-ongoing-discussion-here-guilty-on-all-34-counts-may-30-2024/980953/2597 "2024-04-30T13:38:56Z")
it is incomprehensible. he does not believe his lawyer is being aggressive with the witnesses, i guess he wants the lawyer to be aggressive with the judge when objecting? stare down or play to the jurors? who knows. trump has been found in contempt and 1k for each violation and has handed down the written ruling. he must remove the posts by 2:15 today. According to the order, “THEREFORE, Defendant is hereby warned that the Court will not tolerate continued willful violations of its lawful orders and that if necessary and appropriate under the circumstances, it will impose an incarceratory punishment.” ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2024, 1:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/manhattan-prosecutors-file-criminal-charges-for-trump-re-stormy-daniels-case-ongoing-discussion-here-guilty-on-all-34-counts-may-30-2024/980953/2598 "2024-04-30T13:43:32Z")
> [@rocking\_chair](#): > > it is incomprehensible. he does not believe his lawyer is being aggressive with the witnesses, i guess he wants the lawyer to be aggressive with the judge when objecting? stare down or play to the jurors? How do you know this? ---
**Author:** ![rocking\_chair](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rocking_chair/32/2918_2.png) [@rocking\_chair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rocking_chair)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2024, 1:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/manhattan-prosecutors-file-criminal-charges-for-trump-re-stormy-daniels-case-ongoing-discussion-here-guilty-on-all-34-counts-may-30-2024/980953/2599 "2024-04-30T13:46:46Z")
per cnn: Judge Juan Merchan has fined Trump for violating the gag order nine times. Trump must remove the seven “offending posts” from Truth Social and the two “offending posts” from his campaign website by 2:15 p.m. today. from forbes: Former President Donald Trump has complained in private about his attorney Todd Blanche, who’s defending him in his criminal trial in Manhattan, The New York Times [reported](https://www.nytimes.com/2024/04/30/us/politics/trump-trial-todd-blanche.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare&sgrp=c-cb) Tuesday, with the ex-president believing the lawyer isn’t aggressive enough against witnesses, the judge and the jury pool as he decries the case against him as a politically motivated “witch hunt.” ---
**Author:** ![bordelond](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bordelond/32/150_2.png) [@bordelond](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bordelond)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2024, 1:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/manhattan-prosecutors-file-criminal-charges-for-trump-re-stormy-daniels-case-ongoing-discussion-here-guilty-on-all-34-counts-may-30-2024/980953/2600 "2024-04-30T13:52:50Z")
> [@hajario](#): > > > [@rocking\_chair](#): > > > > it is incomprehensible. he does not believe his lawyer is being aggressive with the witnesses, i guess he wants the lawyer to be aggressive with the judge when objecting? stare down or play to the jurors? > > How do you know this? The _New York Times_ cites four anonymous leakers, for what it’s worth. From the _NYT_ link in the Forbes article that @rocking_chair quoted: > Donald J. Trump’s Manhattan criminal trial had barely begun when he started to turn his anger toward his lead lawyer, Todd Blanche. > > Although Mr. Blanche has been Mr. Trump’s favorite lawyer for some time, behind closed doors and in phone calls, the former president has complained repeatedly about him in recent weeks, **according to four people familiar with the situation.** > > He has griped that Mr. Blanche, a former federal prosecutor and veteran litigator, has not been following his instructions closely, and has been insufficiently aggressive. Mr. Trump wants him to attack witnesses, attack what the former president sees as a hostile jury pool, and attack the judge, Juan M. Merchan. > > Mr. Trump, who often complains about legal fees and sometimes refuses to pay them, has also wondered aloud why his lawyers cost so much, **according to the people, who all spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss the sensitive topic**. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/manhattan-prosecutors-file-criminal-charges-for-trump-re-stormy-daniels-case-ongoing-discussion-here-guilty-on-all-34-counts-may-30-2024/980953.md?page=129) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/manhattan-prosecutors-file-criminal-charges-for-trump-re-stormy-daniels-case-ongoing-discussion-here-guilty-on-all-34-counts-may-30-2024/980953.md?page=131)