We do begin tonight with the fireworks inside that New
York City courtroom Today,
the judge in Donald Trump's criminal trial furious with a
witness put on the stand by Donald Trump's defense team.
The judge, so angry at one point clearing out the
courtroom at that moment,
coming not long after, another dramatic development inside that courtroom
involving Trump's longtime fixer,
Michael Cohen. Donald Trump watching the jurors fixed on the
testimony all day,
what the defense team got Michael Cohen to admit to
ABC senior investigative correspondent Aaron Katersky leading us off tonight
at the courthouse.
Tonight, Donald Trump's lawyers laser focused on destroying the credibility
of the state's star witness,
Trump's former fixer, Michael Cohen,
the only person to testify.
He spoke with Trump about the hush money deal with
porn star Stormy Daniels on cross examination.
Defense attorney Todd Blanche getting Cohen to admit underoath he'd
stolen $30,000 from the Trump Organization.
And then, after the prosecution rested its case,
the defense calling a surprise witness,
ushering in an explosive courtroom confrontation.
Robert Costello A lawyer who advised Cohen in the days
after his hotel room and office were raided by the
FBI in 2018.
Costello testified Cohen was manic and suicidal.
Quoting him saying, my life is shattered,
my family's life is shattered.
I really want you to explain to me what my
options are,
what's my escape route, Costello said.
He told Cohen all his problems would go away if
he just told the feds the truth about Donald Trump
and the deal with Stormy Daniels.
But he said Cohen insisted Trump knew nothing about those
payments.
That he did this on his own,
saying, I swear to God,
Bob, I don't have anything on Donald.
Throughout Costello's testimony, prosecutors objected,
and when Judge Juan Rashon upheld those objections,
Costello audibly reacted from the witness stand.
Jeez, he said one time.
Ridiculous, He mumbled under his breath.
The judge was furious, sending the jury out of the
room and addressing Costello directly.
If you don't like my ruling,
you don't give me side eye and you don't roll
your eyes.
Do you understand that? Costello glared at him.
Are you staring me down?
The judge asked. And then the dramatic move,
Judge Juan Rashon clearing the courtroom,
sending everybody out into the hallway.
When the trial resumed, Costello back on the stand,
prosecutors beginning their cross examination.
He'll be back on the stand tomorrow.
But tonight, before court adjourned for the day,
Trump's lawyer asking Judge Marshawn to dismiss the case.
Hopefully the motion to dismiss this trial will go through
because this trial is a disaster for our country.
No immediate ruling from the judge.
But when the defense argued the jury shouldn't even consider
testimony from Michael Cohen,
the judge was skeptical, saying you think he's going to
full 12 New Yorkers.
David, the defense is likely to rest its case tomorrow
with no testimony from Trump himself.
The jury will be excused until after Memorial Day with
closing arguments,
jury instructions and finally deliberations.
Next week, David. Big week.
Next week. Aaron Katersky leading us off tonight,
Aaron, thank you.