A recent court ruling has declared that the lawyers representing former president, Donald Trump, in the ongoing $250 million civil fraud case, are not permitted to refer to Trump’s onetime confidante and fixer, Michael Cohen, as a perjurer. This could potentially affect legal tactics and strategies within the trial.
This ruling was made known by Christopher Kise, one of Trump’s attorneys, to Justice Arthur Engoron, who is commanding the proceedings against Trump instigated by New York Attorney General Letitia.
Michael Cohen, a crucial witness for the New York State in this trial, was previously accused of lying to a federal judge in 2018 while confessing his guilt regarding tax evasion. Cohen has recently refuted this claim, stating that he did not commit the crime.
Previously, during Cohen’s state fraud trial, he has been accused of being a serial liar. Further, Trump’s legal team has also expressed dissatisfaction regarding the alleged disrespectful eye rolling of one of the law clerks.
Though the recent happenings within the courtroom hold critical implications for both sides, it is clear that the environment in the court room is highly charged. Whether or not the inability to label Cohen as a perjurer will play a significant role in shifting the balance of this legal battle, remains to be seen.
For more details on this, please follow the detailed coverage of the trial here.