Today, alvin bragg star witness Michael Cohen is not only a liar but a thief and embezzler from President Trump organization, lydia hu with light with the latest, what can you tell us. Reporter i just stepped outside of the courtroom, i can tell you as were nearing the finish line of the trial it is within sight it is getting tense, hearing a lot of objections from both sides and tense debate and arguments over matters that are important they determine what information the jury will hear. The prosecution rested its case within the past hour. And the defense was able to call their first witnesses, one a witness that was used to document some of the phone calls, and most importantly second witness is now attorneyclient Robert Costello, we know him as one time Legal Adviser to Michael Cohen, costello, im getting notes, just testified on the stand that Michael Cohen said numerous times, that President Trump knew nothing about payments to Stormy Daniels. That is really important because tha
Decade doing trumps dirty work. Credibility issues are why the prosecution used the 20 witnesses who proceeded cohen to basically corroborate his story before they even put him on the stand. It is also why trumps defense team has singlemindedly sought to state their case on discrediting him. Even in cases that might not be read crucial to rebutting the prosecution. For that reason the defense may think they racked up a victory for themselves today because during the crossexamination this morning, cohen admitted that he stole from the trump organization. In addition to the reimbursement for the hush money for stormie daniels, cohen was also given 50,000. That money was supposed to be a repayment for what cohen spent to hire a tech from to rig an online poll on trumps behalf. We dont have time to get into that detail. But as cohen said on the stand, he only paid trump 20,000 and kept the rest for himself. Asked point blank today whether he stole from the trump organization, cohen said, y
Seat at the trump courthouse. I think you got the more dramatic part of the day. Rachel, i have been mostly in the courtroom. Once before i was in the Overflow Room, which is across the hall. This morning i was in the Overflow Room for a few reasons. I woke up late. But you were so gracious at lunch to hand me your Courtroom Pass for the afternoon, which is totally legal. We can do that. s i was in the courtroom for the moment you really wanted to be. You had to be in the courtroom. It was astonishing. I can describe it here when we get started. But, rachel, i have three Exclamation Points in my notes beside the clear the courtroom line, which was, you know judge juan merchan he is the most mildmannered and fair judge. Most judges are fair and obviously. But judge merchan is the model. Its one of the great sacrifices that America Cannot see how eventempered he is. So when he says something with Exclamation Points, which he did. It changes the room. I know youre good to go through this.
Loved his family, his partner, eddie he loved his friends. And we loved him in return. We will miss you, joey. We will not forget you a news continues right here on cnn outfront. Next we begin with Breaking News. The face off and drama in the trump trial as the judge holds the defense witness clears the courtroom. This is Michael Cohen makes a major admission. Did he recover and hes one of the only american doctors left in gaza. Here. Why the doctor whos credited with saving senator Tammy Duckworths life in iraq, says this conflict is worse than anything he has ever seen plus Breaking News, van and just responding to the dojs request that he starts his prison sentence, is trumps onetime righthand man, about to go to jail. Its about front good evening. Im Erin Burnett Outfront tonight. Are you staring me down right now an explosive clash between the judge in trumps Hush Money Trial and one of the only Defense Witnesses. The judge, even at one moment yelling clear the Courtroom Tensions
Out recovering for a few weeks. I leave you in the most capable hands. Capable, and carrying youve got kate bolduan here, john berman, and if they act up, dm me we wanted no matter what, and we cannot wait for you to get back better than ever. Thank you. I think you. Thank you so much for being with us today. This is cnn new central, cnn Special Coverage Of The Trump Trial starts now moments ago, donald trump, as you could see, theyre leaving trump tower to the head here where we are outside of the courthouse in minutes, the likely final hold Defense Witness for donald trump will be under oath and on the Witness Stand yet again, well see if it goes better than it did the last time. Robert costello provoked a dressing down hello, from the judge over his courtroom behavior after just minutes on the stand yesterday, he has now been warned not to roll his eyes, say, jeez, after a ruling not, to stare down the judge, all helpful tips. I was in that room when all that happened yesterday is t