NEW YORK — State Supreme Court Judge Juan Merchan cleared the courtroom Monday over a dramatic spat with the defense’s first main witness, Robert Costello, causing a period of mayhem at former President Donald Trump’s hush money trial.
Mr. Costello, a lawyer who once spoke to Trump lawyer-turned-accuser Michael Cohen, seemed to take exception to one of Judge Merchan’s objection rulings, uttering “Jeez,” and then sighing, “Strike it.”
Judge Merchan told the jury to leave for a moment.
“You don’t say ’jeez.’ And you don’t say “strike it,’ because I’m the only one who strikes it,” Judge Merchan told Mr. Costello, an experienced attorney and prosecutor.
He also told him not to give him the “side eye” and, his voice rising, asked: “Are you staring me down right now?”
“Clear the courtroom!” Judge Merchan said.
The situation caused mass confusion, as officers loudly ushered reporters and members of the public into the hallway.
It is unclear what the judge told Mr. Costello in private, but Mr. Costello was still in the witness box when the audience reentered.
The jury came in, and testimony resumed.
• Tom Howell Jr. can be reached at thowell@washingtontimes.com.
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