Trump and his lawyers have arrived for the contempt of court hearing. Pool photographs are taken - there are repeated admonitions that no one else can take photographs, dark talk of people being banned for doing so. Drum roll...
All rise!
Clerk: This is People of the State of New York against Donald J. Trump.
Justice Merchan: Counsel please come forward.
[They exit stage left - Trump remains alone at defense table]
OK - now #TrumpTrial opening arguments, Inner City Press covered last week's jury selection (book here ) and will live tweet, thread belowamazon.com/dp/B0D2BTC2M1
All rise!
Clerk: This is the People of the State of New York against Donald J. Trump.
Justice Merchan: Who long are the openings?
Prosecutor Steinglass: 40 minutes.
Trump's lawyer Todd Blanche: 25 minutes.
Justice Merchan: Good, because we will break early
Justice Merchan: Also, Juror 9 has told us they are concerned about media attention. I suggested we speak with them in my chambers, I'm sorry, I mean my robing room. And suggest that not all of you come in.
OK- now in Trump Trial "Sandoval" hearing, Part 59, seated 30 feet behind Trump. This hearing will be about what the prosecutors want to ask Trump if he testifies. Inner City Press wrote book on Carroll trial & will live tweet, thread belowamazon.com/dp/B0CTFPXKGM
All rise!
Prosecutor Hoffinger: Before the Sandoval hearing, we move to seal four exhibits, including Michael Cohen's contacts.
Trump's lawyer Bove: PII, fine. But they are trying to seal trial exhibits.
[There's a loud banging, unexplained]
Justice Merchan: Sit down. I'm signing the order.
Trump's lawyer Bove: We object to the People raising the issues in their Sandoval notice. They start with Judge Engoran's findings. They cannot be used to cross examine President Trump should he testify
OK - #TrumpTrial Day 4 - and last? - of jury selection, amid issues of what can or should be reported: not jurors' place of employment, but political links? Inner City Press wrote the book on Carroll v Trump & will live tweet, thread belowamazon.com/dp/B0CTFPXKGM
All rise!
Clerk: This is the People of the State of New York against Donald J. Trump.
Justice Merchan: I'm told that all 22 jurors are already here. Any reason we cannot bring them in? We are still working on the temperature in the courtroom
[It *is* cold]
Justice Merchan: Jurors, you're to answer the questionnaire. Please begin by reading your three digit number out loud.
428 (lady) I have anxiety. I may not be able to not be emotional. People can figure out I'm here, just from not being present.
Excused
OK - now at #TrumpTrial Day 3 of jury selection, starting with 7 of 12 chosen, then alternates - Inner City Press wrote the book on Carroll v Trump (by @MatthewLeeICP @SDNYLIVE) and is live-tweeting this criminal trial, thread belowamazon.com/dp/B0CTFPXKGM
Trump come into the courtroom, blue suit and blue tie, this time. Defense lawyer Susan Necheles plugging in her laptop. Trump is, as before, between Blanche and Bove
All rise!
Clerk: This is the People of the State of New York versus Donald Trump.
Justice Merchan: Wait, do we have a court reporter? No? That's not good. We'll need to do that again. In the meantime, counsel, please approach.
[Whispered sidebar]
Trump currently sitting alone at defense table, empty seats of Todd Blanche and Emil Bove on either side of him. Susan Necheles one seat away, writing on legal pad
Now Blanche in lead defense counsel's chair, speaking animated with Trump, both raising a hand to gesticulate. Justice Merchan's chair still empty as of 9:40 am.