'They knew': Former NYC judge says hush money jury caught crucial chaos subtext
Hush money trial Justice Juan Merchan's dressing down of defense witness Robert Costello behind closed doors might as well have happened in front of former President Donald Trump's criminal court jury, a former New York City judge argued Tuesday.
Retired New York Supreme Court Justice Diane Kiesel appeared on CNN to offer some insight on what's likely taking amongst the jury as the historic criminal case against Trump winds down.
"Let me tell you, when [Costello] started muttering under his breath, giving the hairy eyeball to the judge, the jury saw all that," Kiesel told the CNN panel. "Believe me, when the judge said 'Sergeant give the jury their break!' — they knew exactly what was going on."
What was going on was a "unbelievable" courtroom event that saw Merchan clear the Manhattan criminal courtroom to lecture a key defense witness on how to behave in court.
"I'd like to discuss proper decorum in my courtroom," Merchan scolded Costello. "If you don't like my ruling, you don't say 'Jeez,' you don't say 'Strike it,' because I'm the only one who can strike testimony in the court. If you don't like my ruling, you don't give me side-eye, and you don't roll your eyes."
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On Tuesday, Kiesel noted just how close the jury was physically to Costello, and how close mentally to Merchan, in the moments leading up to the chaotic moment.
"Jurors start to bond with the judge, especially over a long trial," she said.
Kiesel suspects the jurors were keyed in on the haranguing that Costello endured after the courtroom was nearly emptied.
"You know, they're in the jury room whispering now, 'What's going to happen now? What's going to happen now?'"
On Tuesday, Donald Trump’s legal team rested its case prompting the judge to tell both counsels to prepare for their closing arguments after the Memorial Day holiday and expected to begin on May 28.