The criminal trial against former President Donald Trump in New York is coming to a close, with the jury set to begin deliberations on Wednesday. This trial marks the first time a former president has faced criminal charges in U.S. history. Trump is facing 34 felony counts of falsification of business records related to payments made to his attorney, Michael Cohen, who then paid $130,000 in “hush money” to Stormy Daniels before the 2016 election. Trump has pleaded not guilty to these charges.
Before the jury can begin deliberations, the judge overseeing the trial, Justice Juan Merchan, will give crucial instructions to the jury regarding the legal issues they must consider and the standard of proof required to find Trump guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. The judge mostly sided with prosecutors during a recent hearing over what these instructions will entail. Both sides presented their closing arguments on Tuesday, with Trump’s attorney, Todd Blanche, attacking Cohen’s credibility and claiming he acted on his own in making the payment to Daniels. Blanche argued that there were reasons to doubt the prosecution’s case, which he claimed relied heavily on Cohen’s unreliable testimony.
Prosecutor Joshua Steinglass acknowledged that Cohen was not a perfect witness but urged the jury to focus on the documents that corroborate his account. He painted Trump as a micromanager who would not have signed checks to Cohen without knowing their true purpose. The prosecution argued that the evidence presented in the trial supports their case against Trump. The jury will have to consider these arguments and weigh the evidence before reaching a unanimous verdict on each of the 34 charges Trump faces.
The trial has unfolded over the past six weeks in a Manhattan courtroom, with testimony from witnesses and presentation of evidence. Trump’s legal team has sought to cast doubt on the prosecution’s case, particularly focusing on Cohen’s credibility. The prosecution, on the other hand, has highlighted the documents and other evidence that they claim corroborates their case against Trump. The jury’s decision will ultimately determine whether Trump is found guilty or acquitted on the charges he faces, which could have significant implications for his future and political ambitions.
The trial has garnered significant attention as it marks a historic moment in U.S. history, with a former president facing criminal charges. The outcome of the trial will have ramifications for Trump’s political career and personal reputation. Regardless of the jury’s decision, the trial has brought to light details about Trump’s financial dealings and relationships with his lawyer and others involved in the case. As the jury prepares to deliberate, all eyes are on the Manhattan courtroom as this high-profile trial nears its conclusion.
