Judge Cannon has appeared confused by basic legal concepts and indulged the Trump defense team's wildest arguments

Judge Cannon has appeared confused by basic legal concepts and indulged the Trump defense team’s wildest arguments

Over the course of seven public hearings related to Donald Trump’s classified documents case, a picture has emerged of Judge Aileen Cannon sometimes appearing prepared for legal questions but at other times having difficulty comprehending even the simplest concepts.

In the view of prosecutors and several legal experts, her tendency to repeatedly ask the same question or miss the point of an argument is proof that the Trump-appointed judge is ill-suited to handle a trial that has already been delayed, repeatedly, by her willingness to grant hearings over the Trump team’s most far-fetched requests. The case’s slow progress, they argue, plays into Trump’s strategy of pushing it past Election Day, and then, if elected, stopping it from ever happening.

  • Natanael
    21·
    1 month ago

    The fresh round of 34 convictions was from a jury trial. Get jury selection right and he’s toast

    • ironhydroxide@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
      31·
      1 month ago

      Though I agree, I think they’re worried about how to select a jury that is allowed to see the evidence.

      I mean, those with high enough security clearances are less likely to be seen as impartial by Drumpfs supporters. (Not that they see anything but full and undying support as impartial) and more likely (so I would suspect) to convict than those who don’t have security clearances.

      • Zorsith@lemmy.blahaj.zoneEnglish
        7·
        1 month ago

        People at any clearance level have been asking since day one how he is still able to see sunlight. Day 1 classification training explicitly lays out penalties.

      • Tower@lemm.ee
        2·
        1 month ago

        Jurors are not issued security clearances.

        https://www.politico.com/news/2023/06/14/trump-trial-classified-documents-public-00102023

        AI summary of the process using the article and other sources -

        The process of presenting classified information at a trial involves careful adherence to the Classified Information Procedures Act (CIPA), which provides a framework for handling such sensitive materials while balancing national security interests and the defendant’s right to a fair trial.

        1. Pretrial Procedures:

          • A pretrial conference is held to discuss how classified information will be managed. The court issues protective orders to prevent unauthorized disclosures [❞] [❞].
          • The government can request to delete or redact classified information from discovery or provide unclassified summaries instead. This request is typically made in a private (ex parte) and closed (in camera) session with the judge [❞] [❞].

        2. Defense Counsel Clearance:

          • Defense attorneys often need security clearances to access classified information. Defendants typically do not receive direct access to such information, especially if it poses significant national security risks [❞] [❞].

        3. Use at Trial:

          • Before trial, defendants must notify the court of any classified information they intend to disclose. The court holds a hearing to determine the admissibility of this information, and the government may propose substitutions or redactions [❞] [❞].
          • If the court deems the classified information relevant and admissible, the government can suggest unclassified summaries or stipulations to ensure the defense can still present their case effectively [❞].

        4. Jury Considerations:

          • Jurors typically do not need security clearances. Instead, the court ensures that any classified information presented at trial is sufficiently sanitized or summarized so that it does not compromise national security but still conveys the necessary details for the case [❞].

        5. Interlocutory Appeals:

          • The government has the right to appeal pretrial court decisions that it believes improperly compel the disclosure of classified information. This is a crucial mechanism to protect sensitive information throughout the trial process [❞].

        This structured approach aims to protect classified information while upholding the integrity of the judicial process.