Agreed. Thinking about the hierarchy of validity:
We could have an original.
We could have a Medallion signature-certified notarization of some kind.
We could have a “vanilla” notary-certified copy.
We could have an ordinary Xerox copy.
We could have some document where somebody (an ordinary person, a person related to the beneficiary of the document; an FBI agent, a fiduciary) attests to the validity and genuineness of the document.
We could have something we picked up out of somebody’s desk who supposedly had something to do with the production of the referenced document.
We could have something fished out of the wastebasket next to somebody’s desk.
What we have here is essentially bottom-rung document authenticity, and it would be malpractice for any attorney representing the defense not to bring this up, with gusto.
Thanks for the added “ladder of validity” in trying to authenticate. I am interesting to see how this plays out. The existence of other documents may play a key role too to help determine - as you pointed out.
What I am tired of is how much material is produced but now redacted to where it says nothing other than there is a document but you cannot see it ... and that alone makes me suspicious that they are truly protecting “sources and methods” and not CYA for the conspirators. I hope the judge addresses this as well, to make them justify the redactions.