Manhattan DA asks judge to restrict Trump's access to evidence in criminal case

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg's office asked a judge to put restrictions on former President Trump's access to and use of evidence turned over by prosecutors in his criminal case before it goes to trial. 

The prosecutors also asked Judge Juan Merchan on Tuesday to prohibit Trump from reviewing the material without his attorneys being present or transcribing, copying or photographing the records.

The prosecutors also want to ban the former president from publicizing the evidence online, The New York Times reported.

Uner the Brady Rule, prosecutors must share exculpatory evidence with defendants in criminal trials in a process known as discovery as part of an effort to ensure a fair trial.

Prosecutors have expressed concerns, however, that Trump could weaponize the discovery process and use evidence to attack witnesses.

Assistant District Attorney Catherine McCaw wrote in a court filing that Trump "has a longstanding and perhaps singular history of attacking witnesses, investigators, prosecutors, trial jurors, grand jurors, judges, and others involved in legal proceedings against him," according to The Associated Press.

Merchan did not immediately rule on the district attorney's request, and McCaw asked him to schedule a hearing on the issue next week.

Trump faces 34 felony charges stemming from his alleged role in hush money payments and falsifying business records. He pleaded not guilty to all counts.

Madeleine Hubbard is an international correspondent for Just the News. Follow her on Twitter or Instagram.