by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack
SDNY COURTHOUSE, Oct 24 – In the trial of NYS Attorney General Letitia James versus Trump, on October 24 with Trump present his lawyer Alina Habba got to cross examine Michael Cohen. Inner City Press was there and live tweeted, thread here:
Alina Habba: Good afternoon, Mr Cohen. We've met several times. Should I call you Mr Cohen for today? Cohen: Yes. Habba: And I'll be Ms. Habba today. I want to discuss your health. You have many issues?
Cohen: Asked and answered.
Habba: That's the judge over there
Habba: You are fully prepared to testify under oath? Cohen: Yes. Habba: You pled guilty to a number of felonies, right? Cohen: Yes. Habba: You pled guilty to making false statements to a financial institution under various sections - Cohen: I'll take your word
Habba: Don't take my word. Here is your allocution before the Honorable William Pauley... He asked you, guilty or not guilty-- Cohen: I said, Guilty, Your Honor
Habba (reading allocution) How did you answer? Cohen: Guilty Allison Greenfield: You're cutting him off
Habba: There was a sentencing memo, that said you were motivated by personal greed? Cohen: That's what it said, those were the statements of the government. Habba: It said you had a pattern of deception? Cohen: He said that, yes. I do not agree with it. Habba: Didn't it also say you abused your relationship with my client, President Trump? Cohen: That's what he said. I disagree with the premise. Judge Engoran: Just answer the questions. Habba: You had to answer under oath? Cohen: Yes
Habba: You committed perjury under oath with Judge Pauley? NYAG lawyer: Objection. Habba: It's a direct question. Judge Engoran: Overruled. Cohen: Yes Habba: Today you said you omitted, rather than evaded - so you lied, isn't that correct? Cohen: Yes.
Habba: Did you tell your wife? NYAG lawyer: Objection! Judge Engoran: On that grounds? I'm not disagreeing with you Judge Engoran: It falls into spousal privilege. Habba: His wife signed it too
Judge Engoran: Wait
Habba: It's just a factual question... So you lied to Judge Pauley, but I'm supposed to believe you're not going to lie now?
Michael Cohen: I object
Habba: You can't Trump's other lawyer: This is getting out of control. The witness doesn't get to be the judge. That's your job Judge Engoran: And I'm trying [Deposition played- Judge Engoran remarks, Asked and answered many times]
Habba: In April 2023, we spoke, right? Cohen: Yes Cohen: Your questions are compound. I don't understand them.
[Trump no longer has his armed crossed, but rather, stretched out. He's leaning back watching this - what he came for?]
Habba: You said you didn't correct inaccurate information - do you mean lie?Judge Engoran: Five minute warning. Habba: You affirmed that you lied to Judge Pauley about the HELOCs? Cohen: Correct. Habba: You lied to Judge Pauley? Cohen: I took the plea.
Habba: Now you admitting you lied to Judge Pauley? Cohen: I admitted that - in fact, we submitted -- Habba: No. You are not on your podcast. You answer my questions. You lied to Congress too, correct?
Cohen: That's correct. Habba: You appeared before Honorable Andrew Carter and admitted you had lied to Congress? Cohen: Yes.
Habba: And unlike with Judge Pauley you were being honest? Cohen: Is there a question? Habba: Yes [read-back] Cohen: Yes, that was correct. Habba: And you no longer have your law licence Mr. Cohen, correct? Cohen: Asked and answered. Habba: Your Honor?
Judge Engoran: OK, we're done
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