Don’t Play Lawyer, Kids

Trump is a party opponent and so his statements are not hearsay under the rules. Also a statement in furtherance of a conspiracy. Also Cohen's credibility is as issue no matter what he says. pic.twitter.com/aFIaKpzwGp

— Andrew Fleischman (@ASFleischman) May 13, 2024

It’s an admission against interest, since Trump has tried to argue he paid Daniels to keep the truth from Melania. I’m a long way out of legal practice and even I remember that exception to the hearsay rule (they are legion, because there are so many of them).

Overall it’s just a bad idea to predict what could be done in a trial as if everything were a matter of either/or. If it were that simple Tom Fitton wouldn’t be such a braying ass.

Truth Social’s non-lawyer Chief Legal Analyst has made a ruling. pic.twitter.com/GwRigaIEvC

— Ron Filipkowski (@RonFilipkowski) May 14, 2024

One thing Fitton doesn’t realize is, the state could appeal a directed verdict because it takes the case away from the jury, and so double jeopardy doesn’t attach. The state could appeal, IOW, and Trump could pay for the trial all over again.

Don’t play “lawyer,” kids. There’s nothing simple about it at all.