Trump attorney tries again to toss fraud case as State pleads for 'silly' motions to end
December 12, 2023
Donald Trump’s legal team for the fifth time Tuesday tried to have the former president's $250 million civil lawsuit tossed, but only managed to infuriate State attorneys and tickle the judge overseeing the case, reports show.
“There’s no evidence of fraud, no victims, no damage,” Trump attorney Chris Kise argued in his plea for a directed verdict, according to Law360’s Stewart Bishop.
“There’s no way I’m going to grant that,” Justice Arthur Engoron reportedly replied. “But send me something.”
Kise’ repetitive move arrived after State attorneys successfully cajoled him into resting his defense case, Bishop reports.
“We want the defendants to rest their case,” Kevin Wallace reportedly pleaded. “If they don’t have a witness, they should be resting.”
Kise then demanded a directed verdict — or for Engoron to say the State didn’t provide enough evidence — infuriating Wallace, whom Bishop noted appeared to be losing patience.
“I don't know if I've really conveyed how annoyed the attorneys for the AG's office sound, A LOT of the time,” wrote Bishop.
For his part Wallace, called Kise’s “silly” request a “a colossal waste of resources,” according to Bishop and ABC News.
"We have already won on summary judgment," Wallace said, according to ABC News. "I don't know what we are pretending is happening here."
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Engoron ruled before the trial began that Trump was liable for fraud. Trump denies any wrongdoing in the case.
When Kise argued his request was tied to future plans for the case, Engoron said “you’re going to appeal!” and broke into laughter.