Judge to consider violation of gag order in Trump hush money trial – Times of India

New York: The judge overseeing Donald Trump’s criminal hush money trial will decide on Tuesday whether the former US president should be punished for violating a gag order barring him from criticizing witnesses and others involved in the case.
Prosecutors asked Judge Juan Melchan to fine Trump for criticizing porn stars Stormy Daniels and his former attorney, Michael Cohen, are both expected to testify. They also brought up Trump’s claims last week that people lied to get a jury so they could convict him.
Marchan has the option to fine Trump $1,000 for each violation because Manhattan District Attorney Alvin BraggIts office requested.
Prosecutors asked for silence to remind Trump at the hearing at 9:30 a.m. (1330 GMT) that he could face more serious consequences if he violates the order. The law allows judges to jail Trump for up to 30 days, which would be a dramatic turn in the first criminal trial of a former US president.
Trump said the partial gag order, which prevents him from publicly criticizing witnesses, court officials and their relatives, violates free speech.
Trump is accused of falsifying business records to cover up a $130,000 payment made before the 2016 election to buy Daniels’ silence about an alleged 2006 sexual encounter. Trump has pleaded not guilty and has denied any sexual contact.
Prosecutors said it was part of a larger conspiracy to withhold indecent information from voters as he faces multiple allegations of sexual misconduct.
“This is it Election fraudPure and simple,” prosecutor Matthew Colangelo said Monday.
Defense attorney Todd Branch said in opening statements Monday that Trump committed no crime. “There is nothing wrong in trying to influence elections. That is democracy,” Branch told the judges on Monday.
He said Trump acted to protect his family and reputation and accused Daniels of trying to profit from false allegations of their sexual relationship.
On Tuesday, jurors are expected to hear more testimony from former lawmakers at 11 a.m. (1500 GMT). National Investigator publisher David PeckProsecutors said he participated in a “catch” scheme to suppress unflattering stories about Trump and help get him elected.
Peck, 72, testified Monday that his company paid for the coverage – an unusual practice in journalism.
American Media, which publishes the National Enquirer, admitted in 2018 that it had paid the former Playboy model $150,000. Karen McDougall to report on her months-long affair with Trump in 2006 and 2007. US media said it was “coordinated” with the Trump campaign and never published the report.
The tabloid made a similar deal to pay $30,000 to a gatekeeper who tried to sell a story about Trump’s alleged illegitimate birth that turned out to be false, according to prosecutors.
Trump said the payments did not violate personal and election laws. She also denied having an affair with McDougal.
The case could be one of four criminal charges Republican President Trump faces in the run-up to his Nov. 5 election rematch with Democratic President Joe Biden.
A guilty verdict would not prevent Trump from taking office, but it could hurt his candidacy. A Reuters/Ipsos poll showed that half of independent voters and a quarter of Republicans said they would not vote for Trump if convicted.

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