Judge Juan Merchan denied a renewed motion for a mistrial raised by former President Donald Trump’s defense on Thursday in response to Stormy Daniels’ testimony.
Merchan denied Trump’s request for a mistrial Tuesday over testimony, though he noted many of the details Daniels included would have been better left “unsaid.” He said on Thursday the defense’s claim during opening statements that the sexual encounter never happened puts the jury in a position of having to decide.
“Right off the bat, that pits your client’s word against Ms. Daniel’s word,” he said, noting this allows prosecutors to rehabilitate her as a witness and try to corroborate her story.
