Trump Trials General Part 15: CE's Last Hurrah

From nyt:

Here are five takeaways from Mr. Trumps first day on trial:

Justice Merchan is no-nonsense. That hasnt favored the defense.
Justice Merchan, a veteran New York jurist, has been consistent about batting back defense motions on issues including the tardy disclosure of documents by prosecutors and efforts to delay or even dismiss the case.

That pattern continued on Monday, as Justice Merchan rejected a defense effort to force his recusal. The defense had cited several issues, including the fact that his daughter is a Democratic political consultant.

He also ruled that prosecutors could introduce evidence regarding Mr. Trumps involvement with coordinating publicity with The National Enquirer to aid his 2016 presidential campaign. Mr. Trumps lawyers had described the evidence as a sideshow, but lost.

But Mr. Trumps lawyers convinced Justice Merchan that sexual assault allegations that arose against Mr. Trump after the release of the so-called Access Hollywood tape, in which Mr. Trump was caught bragging about grabbing womens genitals, would be prejudicial to the former president. Justice Merchan said the allegations would be off-limits during the trial, calling them complete rumors, complete gossip, completely hearsay.

The trial is about much more than business records.
Justice Merchans decisions on Monday made it clear that the trial will resurface unsavory events in the former presidents life.
Those include the Access Hollywood tape and other stories that Mr. Trump sought to suppress including an alleged affair with Ms. McDougal. Justice Merchan said on Monday that both could be discussed.
In a minor victory for the defense, the judge reaffirmed that the Access Hollywood tape itself could not be played, but that Trumps exact words could be entered into the record.
Still, most of Mr. Merchans rulings indicated that salacious details of Mr. Trumps biography will be heard in court.
Trump says hes happy. His demeanor suggests otherwise.
Entering the courtroom, Mr. Trump said he was very proud to be here.
Once he was in front of Mr. Merchan, Mr. Trump looked a lot less enthusiastic. He slouched. He scowled. He scoffed. And he was quiet, not the norm for a man who built a political career with his gift for slashing attacks and vicious put-downs.
In court, the former president spoke only briefly, when asked a few questions by Justice Merchan about procedural matters, and whether he understood the consequences ejection or jail if he interrupted proceedings. He did whisper with his lawyers. And when the prosecution played a recording of him claiming to have great respect for women, he mouthed the word true.
But all in all, it seems it could be an exhausting experience for Mr. Trump; at one point before lunch, he appeared to fall asleep.