In a significant development in Donald Trump’s hush money trial, the judge has declined the former president’s plea for documents regarding allegations of “extortion” or “larceny” against adult film star Stormy Daniels. Additionally, the judge dismissed Trump’s claims of being a “victim of blackmail.”
Trump’s Request Rejected
Judge Juan Merchan rebuffed Trump’s legal team’s attempt to acquire a substantial volume of documents from prosecutors, dismissing it as an “improper fishing expedition.”
Unprecedented Trial
Donald Trump, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, finds himself in a historic position as the first former president in the United States to face trial in a criminal case. He stands accused of 34 counts of falsifying business records and has maintained his innocence throughout, attributing the charges to political motives.
Allegations Against Trump
The prosecution endeavors to establish that prior to the 2016 presidential election, Trump engaged in discussions or payments to prevent the disclosure of alleged affairs with two women: adult film star Stormy Daniels and former Playboy model Karen McDougal. Trump vehemently denies any such affairs.
Stormy Daniels’ Testimony
During the trial, Stormy Daniels presented her testimony, which concluded following a rigorous cross-examination by Trump’s attorney, Susan Necheles.
Legal Ruling
In a written ruling, Judge Merchan dismissed Trump’s request for an internal memo pertaining to Daniels, clarifying that such documents are limited to “a legal analysis related to the criminal investigation” and are considered “privileged work product.”
Lack of Evidence
Importantly, there is no indication that Stormy Daniels was involved in any acts of larceny or extortion, as per the judge’s ruling.
Scope of Subpoena
Trump’s legal team sought to subpoena documents from prosecutor Mark Pomerantz, who had withdrawn from the case two years prior. They also aimed to obtain statements made by Trump’s former lawyer, Michael Cohen, who allegedly facilitated a $130,000 payment to Stormy Daniels on Trump’s behalf.
Rejection of Subpoena
Judge Merchan deemed Trump’s requests as excessively broad, dismissing them as an “improper fishing expedition” and emphasizing the lack of relevance to the proceedings.
Conclusion
In a decisive ruling, Judge Merchan rejected Trump’s subpoena request in its entirety, highlighting the absence of substantial evidence to warrant such demands.
