Trump’s defense RESTS its case in the New York fraud trial as Eric makes surprise appearance
- Trump lawyer Chris Kise told Judge Engoron that the defense had abandoned its case.
- Trump decided not to make his defense on Monday
- Engoron said he would “under no circumstances” rule in favor of the final decision
Donald Trump’s legal team has finally calmed down its defense in a fraud trial in New York after a final courtroom showdown where Judge Arthur Engoron told them there was “no way” he would rule in their favor.
The latest altercation occurred Tuesday after Trump failed to defend himself as he initially predicted and son Eric made a surprise appearance to oversee the final moments of the family business.
This comes after the former president posted on Sunday that “I have already given my testimony and have nothing more to say.”
“We’re resting,” Trump lawyer Chris Kice, whom Trump called a “fraud” throughout the trial and fired off posts targeting his wife and chief court clerk, told the judge.
Trump lawyer Chris Kise noted that he had taken a number of steps in the common pleas court cases “for the purpose of appeal,” which prompted a stinging joke from Engoron.
Eric Trump left Manhattan civil court after a surprise appearance to watch Trump Organization lawyers rest in their defense.
Lawyers for former President Donald Trump have withdrawn their arguments in a fraud trial in New York.
“You’re going to appeal,” he said. ABC News reported.
Kise said he plans to file a motion for a “directed verdict” on Friday. This will give the judge the opportunity to rule that there is insufficient evidence in the prosecution’s case, effectively ending a case in which he has already established fraud.
“Under no circumstances will I allow myself to do this,” Engoron told him. – You’ll be wasting your time.
The announcement came at the end of a $250 million fraud trial that decided the amount of financial penalties Trump and the Trump Organization would face – with his ability to do business in New York also at stake. -York.
Trump has opposed his prosecution throughout the proceedings, including during his final visit to the courtroom on Friday. He used the trial to make frequent TV media appearances from the courtroom and saw his ratings against Republican opponents and President Joe Biden rise during the trial.
Judge Arthur Engoron told Trump lawyer Chris Kice that there was “no way” he would rule in favor of his motion for a “direct verdict” in the case.
Kise said Trump’s team plans to appeal
Prosecutors on Tuesday asked more questions about Trump’s penthouse, which they said was inflated by about $200 million due to inaccurate footage.
New York Attorney General Letitia James, whom Trump has repeatedly criticized as partisan and “racist,” was in the courtroom for the defense’s closing arguments.
On Tuesday, prosecutors took more action regarding the valuation of Trump’s penthouse. Prosecutors say his firm inflated the value of Trump Tower by $200 million.
During questioning, Trump International Realty executive Kevin Sneddon explained how he came to estimate the property’s value. He said he got the information from former Trump Organization executive Allen Weisselberg, who called to inquire about the cost several years ago.
“I asked if I could see it. He said it was impossible. I asked if there was a floor plan or any specifications. He said he didn’t have that information,” Sneddon said. He said: “It’s quite big. I think it’s about 30,000 square feet.”