Judge Juan Merchan is currently providing guidance to the jury regarding the recorded call between Michael Cohen and Donald Trump, which was presented as evidence earlier in the trial.
During the proceedings, Judge Merchan emphasized that the primary evidence in this case is the actual recording of the call. He highlighted the significance of the audio recording as the key piece of evidence that the jury should focus on in their deliberations.
Additionally, Judge Merchan clarified that the transcript of the call should be viewed as a supplementary tool to assist the jury in understanding the content of the recording. While the transcript can provide context and clarity, the judge underscored that the primary source of evidence remains the audio recording itself.
By emphasizing the importance of the recorded call as the primary evidence in the case, Judge Merchan is guiding the jury on how to approach and evaluate the information presented before them. The clarity provided by the judge regarding the role of the transcript serves to ensure that the jury's focus remains on the actual content of the recording during their deliberations.