Prosecutors in the bribery trial of Senator Bob Menendez are seeking to prevent the defense from calling Dr. Karen Rosenbaum, a psychiatrist, as an expert witness. The government argues that Rosenbaum’s testimony, which aims to explain Menendez’s cash-stashing behavior as a result of past trauma, is unnecessary and could cause confusion and distraction.
In court papers filed on Wednesday, Manhattan federal prosecutors stated that Menendez does not require an expert witness to discuss his family background and the reasons behind his alleged hoarding of funds. They contend that the defendant or someone close to him could present the argument to the jury without the need for expert testimony.
Menendez’s defense team had previously informed prosecutors of their intention to present Rosenbaum’s testimony, in which she would describe how the senator’s untreated condition stems from two significant traumatic events in his life. According to Rosenbaum, Menendez’s fear of scarcity led to a coping mechanism of routinely withdrawing and storing cash at home. She would also explain how Menendez suffered intergenerational trauma due to his family’s experience as refugees in Cuba, where they kept their limited cash at home. Additionally, Rosenbaum would attribute Menendez’s cash-stashing behavior to his father’s compulsive gambling and subsequent suicide after the senator stopped paying off his debts.
The defense hopes that this testimony will help explain the discovery of nearly $500,000 in cash and 13 gold bars during a raid at Menendez’s Englewood Cliffs home in June 2022. However, prosecutors argue that the defense claims should not be credited, citing Menendez’s status as a natural-born citizen and the fact that his father passed away almost 50 years ago.
Prosecutors assert that any potential value Rosenbaum’s testimony may add is outweighed by the risk of jury confusion and distraction. They argue that her testimony would serve as an end-run around Menendez potentially facing cross-examination if he were to testify in his own defense.
1 Response
I am absolutely disgusted by the tactics being used in the bribery trial of Senator Bob Menendez. It is outrageous that prosecutors are attempting to prevent the defense from calling Dr. This blatant attempt to manipulate the proceedings and limit the defense’s ability to present their case is a clear violation of justice. It is deeply concerning to see such a disregard for fairness and due process. This trial should be about uncovering the truth, not about silencing the defense. It is a sad day for our justice system when