Judge mixes focus, humor on the bench
Justice Arthur Engoron appears to be enjoying his time overseeing the trial today, including correcting the attorneys for the state on minor issues.
"The correct word is withdrawn, not strike," Engoron interjected at one point, after a state attorney attempted to "strike" the record so he could rephrase a statement.
![PHOTO: Former President Donald Trump and Justice Arthur Engoron of the state Supreme Court listen to opening arguments from his lawyer Alina Habba, during the trial of Trump, his adult sons, the Trump Organization and others in a civil fraud case](https://i.abcnewsfe.com/a/7db2253c-1cdb-47d5-8c71-955f66c87beb/donald-trump-bender-court-nyc-rt-moe-011-231003_1696349481620_hpEmbed_4x3.jpg)
Later, Engoron smiled and signaled a thumbs-up when the same attorney adjusted his language and "withdrew" his words from the record to rephrase.
The veteran justice, who has served on the bench in New York for more than 20 years, has a reputation as a reliable albeit unusual judge, according to past and former associates.