Home WebMail Friday, November 1, 2024, 10:39 AM | Calgary | -5.1°C | Regions Advertise Login | Our platform is in maintenance mode. Some URLs may not be available. |
Posted: 2023-08-11T19:35:57Z | Updated: 2023-08-11T19:35:57Z

WASHINGTON The judge in Donald Trump s Jan. 6 coup attempt case on Friday ordered him not to reveal information that prosecutors turn over to his legal team from grand jury testimony, a prohibition that likely will apply to a sizable portion of the discovery material he receives in the coming weeks.

Sensitive materials ... may be used by the defendant and defense counsel (defined as counsel of record in this case) solely in connection with the defense of this case, and for no other purpose, and in connection with no other proceeding, without further order of this court, U.S. District Court Judge Tanya Chutkan wrote in her five-page order.

Sensitive materials in the case include information gathered from still-sealed search warrants as well as grand jury testimony, according to the order.

Chutkans written order mirrored her statements during a hearing Friday morning. Prosecutors had asked Chutkan to stop Trump from speaking about any evidence handed over to his lawyers as part of the pretrial process, while Trump had wanted the right to use all of it as he runs for the White House again.

Chutkan turned down prosecutors request for a blanket prohibition, but made it clear to Trumps lawyers that his desire to run for president will not get him out of following the standard rules imposed upon felony criminal defendants in federal court. She also cautioned that she will take seriously any statements Trump makes that could be construed as intimidating a witness.

Trump a week ago posted on his social media platform, IF YOU GO AFTER ME, IM COMING AFTER YOU! Prosecutors pointed it out to Chutkan in a filing hours later.

Trump, as he reviews sensitive material, also will not be permitted to have with him a photocopier or even a phone that he could use to copy or photograph documents. And if he takes notes on what he has seen, they will have to be reviewed by his lawyers to make sure they do not identify a witness.