Donald Trump will not deliver his own closing statement at his civil fraud trial in New York – after a judge said he had to stick to “relevant material facts.”
Manhattan Supreme Court Justice Arthur Engoron emailed Trump attorney Christopher Kise Wednesday saying he thought the 77-year-old former president would not agree to a “legal limit” and “therefore, he will not speak in court tomorrow.”
Kise first told the judge in a Jan. 4 email that after attorneys presented their arguments in the $370 million case on Thursday, “President Trump plans to present closing arguments as well,” court records show.
Andrew Amer, a lawyer at the New York Attorney General’s Office, which prosecuted the case, opposed giving Trump a chance to speak, warning that he “tends to give irrelevant speeches, lacks self-control, avoids answering questions and has repeatedly in violation of the court order by which he was allowed.”
But Engoron said he would allow the unusual step — only if Trump agreed “to limit his subject matter to what is permitted in counsel’s closing argument, namely comment on the relevant material facts that are evidence, and the application of the law relevant to those facts. “
Donald Trump will not give closing arguments in his civil fraud trial. Gabriella Bass
“I cannot agree *(nor do I recommend that he do so) with the proposed prerequisites and previous restrictions,” Kise responded in an email Tuesday.
The attorney and judge exchanged several more emails Tuesday including about a request from Trump’s team to delay the shutdown following the death of his mother-in-law, Melania Trump’s mother, Amalija Knavs, on Tuesday.
Engoron denied the request to adjourn because of the disruption it would cause to court staff.
But he still offered his condolences, saying: “Please tell Mr Trump I’m sorry.”
Engoron also reiterated that Trump could not speak during the closing unless he agreed to the judge’s terms, prompting Kise to reply: “This is very unfair your honor.”
Just before noon, Engoron responded in a stern email to Kise saying, “I will not debate this matter any further. Take it or leave it. Now or never.”
“You have until noon, seven minutes from now. I WILL NOT GIVE ANY MORE EXTENSIONS,” he concluded.
The judge released a wide range of emails in the case on Wednesday as he noted that Trump would not speak in court during closing statements.
Trump’s lawyers are scheduled to deliver their remarks Thursday morning, with the Attorney General to follow in the afternoon. Each party’s statement is expected to last about two and a half hours.
Judge Arthur Engoron revoked the permission on Wednesday. POOL/AFP via Getty Images
Engoron is deciding the non-jury case and said he hopes to make a final decision by the end of this month.
The trial began in October, lasted until mid-December, and saw Trump attend several times.
Trump, his sons Eric and Don Jr. and Ivanka’s daughter all testified in the trial.
The AG alleged in his case that for a decade Trump lied on annual financial statements exaggerating his net worth by billions to get better loan and insurance terms.
Trump and his team have repeatedly insisted that the 45th president has been the target of a political witch hunt by the Attorney General’s office and judges.
Trump lawyer Alina Habba issued a brief statement to Engoron’s decision on Wednesday saying: “Is anyone surprised yet?”
The Attorney General’s Office declined to comment Wednesday.
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
