Judge scolds defense in Whitmer kidnap trial


The judge is getting impatient with the defense in the Gov. Gretchen Whitmer kidnapping retrial, telling lawyers they are taking too much time talking about “crap” that isn’t important, dragging out the case and exhausting jurors in the process.

“You can look at the jury and see when they are checking out — and they’re checking out,” U.S. District Judge Robert Jonker said after the jury went home Friday. 

On day three of the trial, Jonker admonished defense lawyers both in front of the jury and in its absence for — as he saw it — taking too much time cross-examining the FBI agents testifying on behalf of the government. Some cross-examinations have lasted three hours.

Judge to consider enforcing time limits

“Start focusing on what the important issues are, before this trial stretches into Thanksgiving,” Jonker told one of the defense lawyers in front of the jurors.

The judge got testier after the jury went home.

“It’s getting ridiculous,” Jonker said of the time spent on cross-examinations, warning he is going to think “hard” over the weekend about enforcing time limits “unless the defendants can start focusing on something that really matters.”



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