Jury set to begin deliberations in Donald Trump’s criminal trial in New York
The highly anticipated criminal trial of former President Donald Trump in New York is nearing its climax, as the jury is set to begin deliberations on Wednesday. This historic trial marks the first time a former president has faced criminal charges in U.S. history.
The 12 Manhattan residents serving on the jury will have the weighty task of reaching a unanimous verdict on the 34 felony counts of falsification of business records that Trump is facing. Prosecutors allege that Trump disguised reimbursements to his attorney, Michael Cohen, who paid $130,000 in “hush money” to adult film star Stormy Daniels before the 2016 election. Trump has maintained his innocence and pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Before deliberations commence, Justice Juan Merchan, the presiding judge, is providing crucial instructions to the jury, outlining the legal issues they must consider and the standards they must meet to find Trump guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. The judge’s instructions are expected to heavily influence the jury’s decision.
In closing arguments presented on Tuesday, Trump’s attorney, Todd Blanche, attacked Cohen’s credibility, claiming that his testimony was riddled with lies and asserting that he acted independently in making the payment to Daniels. Blanche argued that the prosecution’s case relied heavily on Cohen’s unreliable testimony and urged jurors to question the validity of the evidence presented.
On the other side, prosecutor Joshua Steinglass acknowledged Cohen’s imperfections as a witness but urged the jury to focus on the corroborating documents that support his account. Steinglass painted Trump as a hands-on manager who would have been aware of the true purpose behind the payments to Cohen.
As the trial draws to a close, all eyes are on the jury as they prepare to deliberate and ultimately determine the fate of the former president. Stay tuned for updates on this historic trial as it unfolds in the heart of Manhattan.
