Editorials & Other Articles

Bernardo de La Paz

(49,068 posts)

6. Standard is defence doesn't have to show anything. But tRump lawyer IS out of line

Sat Apr 27, 2024, 07:38 AM

Apr 27

I have a feeling you understand this.

The blank document trick is one that tRump has used many times for the media. There was the blank briefing book or legislative plans in a 60 minutes interview of a key GOP woman, if I remember correctly. There was the sheaf of papers tRump waved at the media a few days ago. There was another incident when tRump had stacks of blank papers; might have been his purported tax return or his plans for tax legislation.

The tRump lawyer is lucky to not have been barred from the courtroom for such a shady trick, for the deception which is essentially a lie.

But defence lawyers are not required to present a "complete and thorough revelation of facts". Not one bit. They don't have to say anything or present any witnesses or question any witness.

The prosecution has a duty to present the facts. The defence has a duty to attack the prosecution's presentation, if they feel it is to their client's advantage to do so. They don't have to present anything.

But over-arching it all is that all parties must be clear and not deceive (other than the defence is allowed to ignore facts or not present facts). Waving paper and claiming it is what it is not is deception.

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58 replies

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Highlight:

Trump's lawyer gets called out by the judge for trying to mislead the jury. [View all] riversedge Apr 27 OP

Should have tossed him in jail Old Crank Apr 27 #1

Falsifying information - the reason there is a Trial in the first place - even TSF's lawyers are criminals Traurigkeit Apr 27 #2

If complete and thorough revelation of facts in a case were the standard for legal representation......... jaxexpat Apr 27 #4

Standard is defence doesn't have to show anything. But tRump lawyer IS out of line Bernardo de La Paz Apr 27 #6

Trump is a showman and a con artist PatSeg Apr 27 #21

Oh. I totally get it. The guilty walk away if evidence of their guilt remains hidden from the court, ...... jaxexpat Apr 27 #34

It was kayleigh mcenany with the blank briefing book, I think. tblue37 Apr 27 #54

Thanks for confirming and refreshing my memory. . . . nt Bernardo de La Paz Apr 28 #58

Tump never hires honest people. Irish_Dem Apr 27 #9

That is true PatSeg Apr 27 #17

Yes an honest employee is very dangerous to Trump. Irish_Dem Apr 27 #19

Good point PatSeg Apr 27 #22

Yes everyone who works for Trump has to be willing to be a crook. Irish_Dem Apr 27 #27

All part of being loyal to Trump PatSeg Apr 27 #29

Definitely a mafia style operation. Irish_Dem Apr 27 #30

Without the competence and discipline PatSeg Apr 27 #31

Yes very smart sociopaths don't go to jail. Irish_Dem Apr 27 #33

Trump is too big of a showman PatSeg Apr 27 #36

He has an animal cunning and a charm that makes him seem harmless. Irish_Dem Apr 27 #38

Sums him up perfectly PatSeg Apr 27 #43

Yes that is in our favor. Trump's age. Irish_Dem Apr 27 #46

Yep PatSeg Apr 27 #48

Typical mafia job interview. sop Apr 27 #20

Yes, exactly. Your resume has to list all the crimes you have committed. Irish_Dem Apr 27 #28

seems obvious barbtries Apr 27 #3

The case is about Trump telling other people to lie and cheat. Irish_Dem Apr 27 #10

Also it could be that PatSeg Apr 27 #23

Yes of course. Criminals hire other criminals to work with them. Irish_Dem Apr 27 #35

Exactly PatSeg Apr 27 #37

But then he will still stiff them in the end anyway. Irish_Dem Apr 27 #39

Yeah, when he goes down, PatSeg Apr 27 #44

Yes. Irish_Dem Apr 27 #47

Yet another indication PatSeg Apr 27 #49

Yes but he always finds new flying monkeys. Irish_Dem Apr 27 #52

But a part of him knows it is not real PatSeg Apr 27 #53

Sociopaths tend to know this. Narcissists don't. Irish_Dem Apr 27 #55

There are times when I see uncertainty PatSeg Apr 27 #56

Yes I see that too. Irish_Dem Apr 27 #57

Sleazies hangs out with sleaziers kimbutgar Apr 27 #50

"Does tsf hypnotize people against their will or what?" sop Apr 27 #24

It is mindboggling PatSeg Apr 27 #41

Maybe it's more fuel for trump to be able to .... Think. Again. Apr 27 #5

At this point, only the judge could remove the attorneys..... lastlib Apr 27 #7

Yeah, I assumed the judge would have to decide that... Think. Again. Apr 27 #18

The jury now knows Trump's attorney is a liar and a cheat. Irish_Dem Apr 27 #8

I don't even understand this one. Did they think this would work? unblock Apr 27 #11

Doesn't an attorney have to show documents to opposing counsel before introducing it to the jury? 3Hotdogs Apr 27 #13

It was not a blank piece of paper. thesquanderer Apr 27 #40

Good point and I agree. Still, not sure that changes much. unblock Apr 27 #42

my guess, the doc probably had some references to comments Pecker had made about the meeting and hope hicks... thesquanderer Apr 27 #45

Agreed. Guess we've reached point of pointless speculation... unblock Apr 27 #51

The most famous "Blank document" episode in U.S. history. "Tail Gunner" Joe McCarthy -- Wheeling W.V. Feb. 9, 1950. 3Hotdogs Apr 27 #12

The jury was out of the room, so how do Cyrano Apr 27 #14

My thought too. nt oldsoftie Apr 27 #15

Lawyer shows witness blank sheet of paper. Judge notices. unblock Apr 27 #25

I read that and wondered also but I do not see in the article that the Judge informed the jury. damn riversedge Apr 27 #32

Empty papers are subliminal message bucolic_frolic Apr 27 #16

Framing Icanthinkformyself Apr 27 #26