Manhattan DA Moves To Restrict Trump’s Access To Some Evidence

Manhattan DA Seeks Limits on Trump’s Access to Evidence in Criminal Case

The legal battle between former President Donald Trump and Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg continues as Bragg’s team requests that Trump’s access to sensitive evidence in the criminal case against him be limited. Assistant District Attorney Catherine McCaw filed a request to prevent Trump from reviewing certain materials without his lawyers present and from making copies of those records. The filing also asks that Trump be barred from publicizing the prosecution’s evidence during the discovery phase leading up to the trial.

McCaw cites Trump’s federal investigation for mishandling classified materials as a cause for concern that he may misuse grand jury and other sensitive materials in this case. The New York Times reports that a lawyer for Trump declined to comment, and the judge overseeing the case, Juan Manuel Merchan, did not immediately rule on the requests. McCaw has asked for a hearing next week.

Trump Accused of Cover-Up and Witness Intimidation

Bragg has accused Trump of attempting to cover up hush-money payments, including to adult film star Stormy Daniels, as part of a “catch-and-kill” scheme to influence the 2016 election. Trump denies any wrongdoing and has pleaded not guilty to 34 felony counts of falsifying business records. McCaw also claims that the former president may attack witnesses and others involved in the case, citing his history of attacking those involved in legal proceedings against him.

In a lawsuit filed by Bragg’s lawyers to block Trump probe-focused subpoenas from House Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan (R-OH), the complaint said that Trump has threatened New York officials with violent and racist vitriol. As an example, the suit mentioned Trump calling Bragg, who is black, a “SOROS BACKED ANIMAL,” and a Truth Social post appearing to show Trump “threateningly” wielding a baseball bat next to an image of Bragg, among other things.

Protecting Witnesses and Sensitive Materials

McCaw’s filing seeks to protect witnesses and others involved in the case from potential attacks by Trump and to prevent the former president from mishandling sensitive materials. This behavior puts “those individuals and their families at considerable safety risk,” the prosecutor added. As the legal battle continues, it remains to be seen how the judge will rule on the requests made by Bragg’s team.

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