Keith Davidson, the former lawyer for the porn star Stormy Daniels, faced a blistering cross-examination on Thursday in the criminal trial of Donald J. Trump, with defense lawyers casting him as a serial extortionist of celebrities.
The judge, Juan M. Merchan, also heard arguments about additional violations of a gag order by Mr. Trump, just days after he held the former president in contempt and fined him $9,000 for nine other violations.
Justice Merchan has threatened jail time if the violations continue, but did not rule on four new allegations on Thursday.
Mr. Trump, 77, is charged with falsifying 34 business records, including checks and invoices, to hide a $130,000 payment to Ms. Daniels, who says she and Mr. Trump had a tryst in 2006 while he was married.
Mr. Trump, the first American president to face prosecution, has denied the felony charges, and having had sex with Ms. Daniels.
Persons:
Keith Davidson, Stormy Daniels, Donald J, Juan M, Trump, Merchan, Daniels
Organizations:
Trump