The defense has initiated cross-examination of Michael Cohen in a Manhattan courtroom, aiming to challenge the former Trump attorney's credibility. The defense team began by questioning Cohen about derogatory remarks he made about them on TikTok, leading to a courtroom commotion and a sidebar called by the judge.
Former assistant U.S. attorney, Andy McCarthy, commented that the defense's strategy seems to be to reveal to the jury that Cohen's courtroom demeanor differs from his behavior outside the trial. By highlighting Cohen's social media posts and language, the defense aims to portray him as dishonest and to undermine the prosecution's portrayal of him as a credible witness.
During the cross-examination, Cohen confirmed making disparaging comments about President Trump on social media and elsewhere. He also acknowledged that the district attorney's office had requested him to refrain from public commentary on the case.
Surprisingly, it was revealed that Cohen would be the prosecution's final witness. This decision raised concerns about ending the prosecution's case with a potentially controversial and biased witness like Cohen, which could impact the jury's perception of the trial.
The defense's focus on Cohen's animosity towards Trump and his history of dishonesty aims to cast doubt on the reliability of his testimony. By highlighting Cohen's bias and credibility issues, the defense seeks to challenge the prosecution's case and raise doubts about the evidence presented.
Overall, the courtroom proceedings have shed light on the complexities of witness testimony and the strategies employed by both the defense and prosecution in the trial. The cross-examination of Michael Cohen continues to be a pivotal moment in the case, shaping the narrative presented to the jury.
