Donald Trump's attorney made "textbook mistakes" Tuesday while cross examining adult film star Stormy Daniels in the former president's criminal hush money trial, legal experts argued Tuesday.
Former federal prosecutor Harry Litman and analyst Lisa Rubin appeared on MSNBC to discuss defense attorney Susan Necheles' questioning one of Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg's star witnesses.
Host Chris Hayes prompted the discussion by noting. "There were a few weird Perry Mason moments."
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"Textbook mistakes on Necheles' part," Litman declared. "Rhythm is everything on cross and her rhythm was repeatedly broken."
Litman argued cross examinations need to be quick and snappy with questions designed to elicit short and positive answers from the witness on the stand.
"You want a cross to be quick and have a witness answer every question, 'Yes, correct,'" Litman said. "When you get to the point where you have implied you are right, that is when you stop and go to the next topic."
According to Litman, this is what Necheles failed to do, arguing, "She was stuck and there were repeated sidebars."
Yet Rubin suspects Necheles, one of multiple attorneys on Trump's legal team, has been put in reserve for the big-name witnesses such as Michael Cohen.
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The analyst praised Necheles' prep but said her knowledge didn't always translate into a winning courtroom performance in front of the jury.
"She knew the book Stormy Daniels had written inside and out," Rubin said. "Yet it did not pay off for her because she was combative with Stormy and the tone was nasty to a point that I think the jury will ultimately find empathy."
The conversation also included a moment when Hayes burst into laughter while reading about Trump audibly cursing in court.
"Take a step back," Hayes said. "You can't do that."
Rubin took a somber tone when she recalled her past experiences covering Trump trials.
"I have seen this movie before," Rubin said. "He does stuff like this."
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