The trial in its final phase and a verdict that could have historic consequences. Donald Trump Faces His Final Judgment Next Week.
The trial against former president of the United States, Donald Trump, for altering accounting records to pay a former porn actress, enters its final phase with final arguments scheduled for next week.
A guilty verdict would have a significant impact, not only legally but also politically, in the midst of the presidential campaign ahead of the November elections.
Expectation for the Verdict and Possible Testimony
One question that remains is whether Donald Trump will testify in his defense. Upon arriving at the courthouse on Monday, Trump did not respond to a reporter’s question about whether he would testify.
Before the trial began on April 15, Trump had stated that he would testify “to tell the truth.” However, experts suggest that he is likely to decide not to do so to avoid cross-examination by the prosecution.
During Monday’s session, Judge Juan Merchan expressed his intention to conclude the evaluation of the case this week, allowing final arguments to be presented next week.
The 12 jurors must determine whether, beyond a reasonable doubt, Trump is guilty of falsifying 34 accounting documents to disguise as legal expenses the payment of $130,000 to former porn actress Stormy Daniels, just before the 2016 election. who won against Hillary Clinton.
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Donald Trump Faces His Final Judgment Next Week
Judicial Process and Key Witnesses
A guilty verdict requires unanimity from the jury. If found guilty, the judge will later set the sentence, which could include a prison sentence.
A criminal conviction against a former president would be a historic event in the United States and would have political repercussions in the midst of the presidential campaign.
The ongoing judicial process resumes this Monday with the testimony of Trump’s former personal lawyer and confidant, Michael Cohen, who is a key witness.
Cohen has claimed that Trump approved the payment of $130,000 to Daniels to buy his silence about a sexual relationship they allegedly had in 2006, when Trump was already married to Melania.
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Donald Trump Faces His Final Judgment Next Week
Trump denies this relationship and pleads not guilty, arguing that the trial is politically motivated.
Cohen was sentenced in 2018 to three years in prison for lying to Congress and for electoral and tax fraud related to this case.
Trump’s defense has attempted to discredit Cohen, describing him as unscrupulous.
According to Cohen, the payment to Daniels was authorized by Trump and reimbursed to Cohen in 2017, disguising it as “legal expenses” in the Trump Organization’s accounts.
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Donald Trump Faces His Final Judgment Next Week
Repercussions and Development of the Trial
In addition to the case in New York, Trump faces accusations in Washington and Georgia for trying to overturn the results of the 2020 election and for taking classified documents when leaving the White House in 2021. However, this trial has been postponed indefinitely.
The current trial has featured 19 witnesses presented by the prosecution over four weeks, providing jurors with an inside look at the 2016 presidential campaign.
Witnesses include intermediaries and former collaborators who detailed transactions and efforts to avoid scandals surrounding Trump.
Stephanie Clifford, known as Stormy Daniels, also testified, recounting her experience and her sexual relationship with Trump, which she claims was consensual but marked by a “power imbalance.”
Donald Trump Faces His Final Judgment Next Week
The outcome of this trial is awaited with great interest due to its possible legal and political implications.
A guilty verdict could change the course of the presidential campaign and public perception of Trump, while an acquittal could bolster his standing among his supporters.
Donald Trump’s trial is approaching its final phase with a verdict that could have historic consequences.
The focus is on closing arguments and the jury’s decision, as the country closely watches developments that could significantly influence the U.S. political landscape.
R. Donald Trump Faces His Final Judgment Next Week