Trump's ex-lawyer warns 'crucial' hush money witness could be legal minefield

Donald Trump's attorneys in his Manhattan hush money trial are about to walk through a legal minefield as they cross examine a uniquely challenging witness, according to the former president's onetime lawyer.

Trump's former impeachment defense lawyer Robert Ray appeared on CNN Tuesday to issue a stern warning on how to handle the questioning of Keith Davidson, the former attorney for adult film star Stormy Daniels and Playboy model Karen McDougal.

Anchor Erin Burnett prompted the discussion by noting Davidson was not eager to testify.

"[Davidson's] not thrilled to be there, but he knows what he's doing as a lawyer," said Burnett. "This is a crucial witness for the prosecution. So therefore, the cross-examination we'll be very important. How do you expect Trump's attorneys to cross-examine Keith Davidson?"

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Ray, who also previously served in Ken Starr's independent counsel investigation, had a simple answer: "Carefully."

The lawyer argued that while Trump's attorneys need to get Davidson to deliver specific testimony, they also need to keep him quiet about other issues.

"The Trump attorneys need to make certain that they get some things that they need," said Ray. "On the other hand, you want to be very careful about how you handle that witness and not try to do too much and let a witness kind of wander off in areas that potentially could be damaging."

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Ray's conclusion, basically, is that brevity is the soul of wit:

"Don't prolong the cross-examination," he said, "when it's time to quit."

Watch the CNN interview with Robert Ray below or at the link here.

Robert Ray says Trump lawyers will need to question witness "very carefully" www.youtube.com