Northeast
Trump attorney concerned jury instructions could be biased toward prosecution: 'Zero confidence' in this judge
Trump attorney Alina Habba said she has “zero confidence” that the jury who will determine the outcome in the former president’s New York trial will be given instructions “in an appropriate manner,” telling Fox News on Sunday that she’s concerned the judge could deliver instructions that are biased in the prosecution’s favor.
“This judge is the judge that determines the jury instructions. The jury instructions are the roadmap for non-attorneys and jurors to follow the law. It’s going to be critical and frankly, at this point, I have zero confidence in the fact that this person, who should not be sitting on the bench right now, will do the right thing and give jury instructions that are in an appropriate manner without any persuasion towards the prosecution,” she told “Sunday Morning Futures” guest anchor Sean Duffy over Memorial Day weekend.
Judges provide instructions to jurors on how to interpret law relevant to the case at hand before deliberations begin.
BILL MAHER REVERSES COURSE AFTER PREVIOUSLY BASHING NY V. TRUMP CASE: ALVIN BRAGG WILL BE A ‘RISING STAR’
Alina Habba, lawyer for former President Donald Trump, speaks outside the Wilkie D. Ferguson Jr. U.S. Courthouse, Tuesday, June 13, 2023, in Miami. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
Many legal experts, including Harvard Law professor Alan Dershowitz and Jay Town, former U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Alabama, have argued that Judge Juan Merchan visibly favored the prosecution throughout the trial as they sought to prove Trump offered or discussed offering money to adult film star Stormy Daniels and Playboy model Karen McDougal to keep his alleged affairs with them a secret prior to the 2016 presidential election.
The former president has denied the affairs and pled not guilty to 34 counts of falsifying business records.
Habba, who has been Trump’s legal voice for some time, echoed concerns from many who argue the case has no merit, that it is past the statute of limitations and no criminal offense has been directly identified.
NY V. TRUMP: AS ‘STAR WITNESS’ MICHAEL COHEN TESTIFIES, TRUMP ALLIES FLOCK TO COURT TO ‘SUPPORT THEIR FRIEND’
Judge Juan Merchan poses for a picture in his chambers, Thursday, March 14, 2024, in New York. (AP Photos)
“There was no case… We’ve been sitting here. We saw no facts, and the last resort for the prosecution is going to be this judge with political motivations, going to give them instructions on how to decide the fate of a former president and the future president of the United States,” she told Duffy.
At the same time, hosts and guests featured on mainstream media outlets have admitted to problems with the case, particularly in former Trump attorney Michael Cohen’s flawed witness testimony.
Now the jury awaits instructions from Judge Merchan after closing arguments begin next week. Habba said the time gap is concerning since the jury could potentially be swayed to make a decision to convict Trump in the time leading up to deliberations.
NY V. TRUMP: COHEN TESTIFIES TO PAYING STORMY DANIELS FROM HIS OWN POCKET
“They should have been sequestered because, in my opinion, these jurors are handling something that is completely unprecedented and unwarranted in America and for them to be able to be out and about on a holiday weekend with friends and families who have opinions, who are watching the news, the TV is on the background at the pool party… I have serious concerns if they’re left wing and they’re watching MSDNC, as my client calls it, or CNN, they’re not going to get fair news,” she said.
Habba added that she is concerned that friends and family could potentially sway jurors’ decisions.
Read the full article from Here
Boston, MA
2026 Yukon Denali Ultimate gets pricey, but tops the charts
GMC and their flagship Yukon brings all-around excellence with this week’s tester: the 2026 GMC Yukon Denali Ultimate
This cousin to the Chevrolet Tahoe provides all of the space, comfort, style and luxury anyone could want.
In 2026, the GM brand worked wonders on their existing fleet and added nice trim levels to keep the competition always thinking about what they’re doing next.
Our Glacier White Tricoat tester was flawless and completely destroys the competition in the American Luxury market.
Known for its high MSRP and resale values, the Yukon Denali Ultimate has a base price of $103K and is powered by a 6.2L ECOTEC3 V8 engine and 10-speed automatic transmission. With 420 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque, our weeklong tester had a 8,400 pound towing capacity.
The Yukon Denali Ultimate had a slew of standard features including a 16.8-inch premium infotainment system, 24-inch wheels and a 15-inch head-up display. Upgrades include second-row captains seats, BOSE performance sound system with 22-speakers and Night Vision – all totaling an additional $7,090. Boasting a Woodland Mahogany interior, the Yukon Denali Ultimate is certainly classy for all consumers and exemplifies the American Luxury that GMC provides.
In Grasso’s Garage, the Flagship GMC Yukon Denali Ultimate is the real deal. It looks stellar, rides good, and has good values. Although pricey for most consumers, the usage in this category is second to none. I was able to fit six adults on our way to dinner and heard a ton of compliments on its comfort and style, in addition to its spaciousness.
The GMC Yukon has a long-lasting history in the fleet, and in my opinion, having the Denali Ultimate package added is just the way it has to be to experience its full offerings.
Grasso’s Garage is here for you! Looking for more auto reviews or are you in the market for a new car? Head to https://www.bostonherald.com/tag/automotive/. Also, for honest input, reach out to me directly: marc.grasso@bostonherald.com.
2026 GMC Yukon 4WD Denali Ultimate
MSRP: $103,900
MPG: 14 city / 18 highway / 16.2 as tested
As Tested: $113,785
Pittsburg, PA
What was happening in Pittsburgh in 1776?
Connecticut
Police investigating double homicide in Hartford
Police are investigating a double homicide in the Frog Hollow section of Hartford, officials said.
According to officials, police were notified by citizens of a large fight that happened on Madison Street near Zion Cemetery just after 7 p.m. When officers got to the scene, they found a man in his 30s unresponsive and suffering from a stab wound.
The man was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.
While at the scene, investigators learned that two others were taken to an area hospital via private car.
One of them was another man in his 30s suffering from a gunshot wound and was in critical condition. He was later pronounced dead. A 17-year-old was the second one taken to the hospital via private car, but his injuries were non-life-threatening, officials said.
According to officials at the scene, investigators do not believe the public is in danger and are reviewing surveillance footage in the area as part of the investigation.
Neither man has been identified by officials at this time.
No arrests have been made at this time, police said.
-
Education4 minutes agoOpinion | 13 George Washington Interpreters on Embodying an Icon
-
Technology11 minutes agoMystery box shows are complicated for everyone — even the actors
-
World14 minutes agoAfter 1,000 days of war: Many Israeli children carry trauma into summer break
-
Politics26 minutes agoTrump admin axes ‘Green New Scam’ appliance rules as Europe bakes in brutal heat
-
Health29 minutes ago5 of America’s greatest medical breakthroughs revealed as the nation marks 250 years
-
Sports34 minutes agoUSA World Cup star calls lack of appeal process for teammate’s red card ‘bogus’
-
Technology41 minutes agoBooking a summer trip? Here’s what you’re giving scammers
-
Business44 minutes agoNBCUniversal spin marks new era of Hollywood moguls