Michael Cohen sworn in before Congress in 2019 (CSpan)
Michael Cohen shocked onlookers Monday as he refused to make eye contact with jurors as he detailed the work he did for Donald Trump.
The ex-president’s former lawyer and fixer was on the stand as a key prosecution witness in the hush money trial.
But, while giving lengthy details involving his work, including his discussions with the National Enquirer to “catch and kill” stories for his boss, Cohen kept his eyes diverted.
“This is interesting though, Michael Cohen has not yet looked at the jury,” said CNN host Kaitlan Collins. “I'm not a prosecutor, but I think you would, as a prosecutor, want Michael Cohen to look at the jury, to kind of establish this relationship with them.”
Trump is facing 34 charges of falsifying business records involving hush money payments allegedly made to adult movie star Stormy Daniels to hide a sexual relationship.
Cohen’s reluctance to make eye contact was compared to Keith Davidson, Daniels’ ex-lawyer, who previously gave testimony.
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“When he was testifying, his entire body was turned towards the jury, away from the prosecutor, almost as if he was looking at them in directly answering their questions," Collins said. "It's notable that Michael Cohen is not doing that because he's probably the most important witness who needs to develop that trust in that relationship with the jury."
“It's weird," observed panelist Paula Reid. "It could be that he's uncomfortable."
Host Kaitlan Collins agreed. “That is really unusual,” she said.
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