Judge Rejects Trump's Request for Mistrial in Hush Money Case

NEW YORK (NEWSnet) - Donald Trump’s lawyers asked for a mistrial in the criminal hush money case currently in progress in Manhattan, saying that Stormy Daniels ran afoul of rules established for her when taking the witness stand Tuesday.

This request was presented after the hearing returned from its lunch break - and Judge Juan Merchan said no. 

“I don’t believe we’re at the point where a mistrial is warranted,” he explained.

The judge said he agreed with Blanche that Daniels gave more information at times than she should have about the time she met with Trump, but he blamed the defense for not objecting more vigorously when she was testifying.

Trump shook his head as Merchan denied the request for a mistrial, then jotted something down on a piece of paper that he shared with his attorney.

Although the former president and his team have voiced vehement objections leading up to and during the case, this is the first time the attorney team has asked for a mistrial. 

Defense lawyer Todd Blanche said Daniels’ testimony about the alleged sexual encounter with Trump and her detailed account of a preceding conversation and other meetings with Trump had “nothing to do with this case and is extremely prejudicial.”

Blanche argued “the court set guardrails for this testimony” but it was “just thrown to the side.”

“This is the kind of testimony that makes it impossible to come back from,” he said, adding that it is also “unfair” as Trump has to go out on the campaign trail later today.

After other brief discussions, Daniels returned to the stand.

[Earlier Report: Stormy Daniels Takes Stand as Witness in Trump Trial]