Latest / Fresh Intelligence / Trump's Enemy Set to Preside Over the Nicolas Maduro Trial - as 92-Year-Old Judge Once Ruled Against The Don in Adult Film Star Stormy Daniels' Case
Transcript
- 0:05[SPEAKER_00]: Why scroll your feed?
- 0:06[SPEAKER_00]: When you can get the latest Aleb news with your eyes closed.
- 0:11[SPEAKER_00]: Here's Fresh Intelligence first to start your day.
- 0:18[SPEAKER_01]: The newly appointed judge over seeing Nicolas Maduro's trial is the 92-year-old U.S. District Judge Alvin Hellerstein, known for his authoritative approach and significant case history, including cases involving President Trump.
- 0:30[SPEAKER_01]: Judge Hellerstein presided over Maduro's initial court appearance on drug trafficking charges on January 5, where Maduro proclaimed his innocence, I'm innocent.
- 0:39[SPEAKER_01]: I am not guilty.
- 0:40[SPEAKER_01]: I am a decent man, the president of my country.
- 0:44[SPEAKER_01]: Maduro faces four federal charges, Narco Terrorism Conspiracy, Cocaine importation conspiracy, possession of machine guns and destructive devices, and conspiracy to possess these weapons against the United States.
- 0:56[SPEAKER_01]: These charges also involve his wife, Silia Flores, Sun, and two other high-ranking officials.
- 1:03[SPEAKER_01]: Hellerstein confirmed in court, a plea of not guilty will be entered on behalf of Mr. Maduro.
- 1:08[SPEAKER_01]: Heller Stein, appointed by President Bill Clinton in May 1998, is one of the longest serving judges in the Southern District of New York.
- 1:16[SPEAKER_01]: Renown for his role in controversial cases, he previously oversaw the Harvey Weinstein sexual harassment trial and civil compensation claims related to the 9-11 attacks.
- 1:26[SPEAKER_01]: colleagues describe him as tough but fair, with a strong personal sense of justice.
- 1:30[SPEAKER_01]: One former Federal Prosecutor stated, he tries very hard to do the right thing.
- 1:35[SPEAKER_01]: Heller Stein has also ruled against Trump in high-profile cases, including the Hush Money Payments to porn star Stormy Daniels.
- 1:43[SPEAKER_01]: He dismissed Trump's attempts to move the case to Federal Court, asserting that the payments were private acts outside executive authority.
- 1:49[SPEAKER_01]: Despite their legal clashes, Trump respects Hellerstein, recently describing the case against Maduro as infallible and noting, a judge is very respected.
- 1:58[SPEAKER_01]: Hellerstein is a highly respected judge.
- 2:01[SPEAKER_00]: We'll see how we do.