OK-now in Michael Cohen v Trump, Cohen is here in the courtroom to fend off motion to dismiss @SDNYLIVE. Inner City Press will live tweet, thread below
Defense: Cohen was in custody pursuant to statute. He claims home confinement is different.
Judge Liman: He's citing the Bail Reform Act. What about abuse of process?
Defense: There was no abuse. BOP sent him to FCI Otisville.
Judge: He's saying Mr Trump retaliated
Defense: On emotional distress, Cohen is not even claiming intent or negligence. Under the FTCA, his complaint should be dismissed.
Judge Liman: He says the prison was 100 degrees.
Defense: It's within BOP's discretion.
Judge: That's not Judge Laval's analysis
Judge Liman: What if it was 120 or 130 degrees?
Defense: The CFR gives discretion. It involves judgment.
Judge: I'm trying to figure how your logic wouldn't knock out all FTCA cases. Are prisoners the only ones not protected?
2d defense lawyer: There is no Bivens relief for alleged 1st Amendment viilations.
Judge Liman: He's alleging that the then-President squashed opposition. We folks in black robes need to review that.
Defense: There are alternate remedial structures. This is for $
Defense: He could have filed a grievance with BOP.
Judge Liman: Mr Cohen is saying he spent 16 days in solitary confinement for his political speech. We're talking about the President of the US.
Defense: You are bound by the Supreme Court.
Judge: I get it.
Trump's lawyer Habba: This is barrred by Presidential immunity.
Judge Liman: Could a US President just kidnap someone, via a valet, like in other countries?
Habba: No. We have press in the room: we deny these claims.
Judge: You've spoken to the press. Speak to me.
Habba: Mr Cohen committed crimes.
Judge Liman: So he can do this to any prisoner?
Habba: These are just hypotheticals.
Judge: They tease out rules and the limits of arguments.
Habba: Presidents bomb people. They can't be worrying about being sued. My client has absolute immunity. Thank you.
Judge Liman: Does the defense want to address the Coulhurst case?
Defense: That's about lazy action.
Cohen's lawyer Andrew Laufer: Judge Hellerstein found the remand was retaliatory, abuse.
Judge Liman: So would a warden cracking down on critics. But no Bivens action is allowed. How would I limit this?
Laufer: On home confinement my client could have a cocktail.
Laufer: Mr Cohen was the lawyer for defendant Trump, then he did the right thing. Yes, expanding Bivens is a disfavored activity. But this is unique. They lured him here, knowing the paragraph would be a problem.
Ironically, amid Michael Cohen's argument about arrest by US Marshals, two US Marshals enter courtroom, whisper to deputy. No, they are not here to remand Cohen. They leave...
Cohen's lawyer Laufer: These were Gulag-like conditions at Otisville.
[Wag: like #GhislaineMaxwell's conditions in Florida prison?]
Judge Liman: Mr Laufer,I think your client passed you a note.
[But apparently not]
Defense rebuttal: He was on furlough, not home confinement.
Habba: Donald Trump was not in Hellerstein's decision.
Laufer: It was home confinement, with conditions.
Judge: Under advisement. Adjourned.
• • •
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Bove criticizes his former office coordinating with CFTC. Alexandre wants all CFTC communications outside of Enforcement Division.
AUSA Folly (also on #OneCoin) says no objection to motion cycle starting Aug 29.
Former AUSA Bove: Alexandre's 6th Amendment rights are being constrained. 2d round of motions. Oct 31.
DC Beat: For Jan 6 trial of Kelly Meggs et al, Judge Mehta is telling the 6 defense lawyers not to make the voir dire questions too long, or it will be a 2 week jury selection. Inner City Press is covering the mega case (Rhodes in) & will live tweet, thread below
Judge Mehta: Of course you can ask if prospective jurors what they've seen of the Jan 6 Committee hearings... Do you want to be heard on the joint questionnaire?
Counsel: There's more to discuss when we go under seal.
[That again]
Defense lawyer: We are spread out all over the country. Unlike the prosecutors who are all together. We have to use Zoom. I don't know if we can be ready by September.
Judge Mehta: Others?
2d defense lawyer: We have a motion to continue.
OK -in resumed trial of Rosario v NYC, Police Officer Whitaker on witness stand is being asked why part of the homocide investigation file was withheld. Inner City Press is covering the case and will live tweet. Thread below
Rosario's lawyer: Does this Polaroid of Ruchard Rosario have the same number as the one shown to Mr Davis in the mug book?
Whitaker: Yes.
Q: Wasn't that suggestive?
Whitaker: That's hypothetical.
Q: The photo you showed of Mr Rosario was from 3 years earlier, when he was 17, right?
Whitaker: I didn't do the math. But if you say so.
[Rosario walks out of courtroom. Lawyer follows and asks, You OK?
Now in child sex trafficking trial of US v Concepcion, a jury note. Inner City Press the only media here. AUSA said all defense did was blame the victim, Camila. Thread below
All rise!
Judge Oetken: The jury has asked for Camila's testimony, and if they can rely on Camila's passport for her age.
Jury entering!
Judge Oetken: We'll answer your questions Monday. Don't read about the case over the weekend.
A juror: Can we take the instructions home?
Judge: Please leave your notes and the instructions here.
[Jurors leave]