By Raul Castillo
May 27, 2024, 4:40 PM EDT
The criminal trial against former President Donald Trump enters its final phase this week with the concluding arguments of the parties, which will begin tomorrow, Tuesday, after six weeks of intense deliberations and testimony from twenty-two witnesses.
This trial, crucial for the political career of the virtual Republican presidential candidate, accuses Trump of 34 serious crimes of falsifying business records.
The closing arguments represent the last opportunity for both the prosecution and the defense to convince the twelve-person jury of Trump’s guilt or innocence. If convicted, Trump could face penalties ranging from probation to four years in prison.
Throughout the trial, the Prosecutor’s Office has called twenty witnesses, while the defense has presented two. These testimonies have been fundamental to build the arguments of both parties and this Tuesday the lawyers in charge of the cases will make a summary of the most notable ones that have been said in recent weeks.
Among the most prominent witnesses are Michael Cohen, Trump’s former lawyer and right-hand man, and Stormy Daniels, a porn star whose hush money is at the center of the accusations.
unanimous verdict
The origin of the charges dates back to payments made to Michael Cohen to reimburse a $130,000 disbursement that Cohen made to Daniels shortly before the 2016 presidential election. These payments were recorded as legal expenses, which is the core of the charges. falsification of business records.
Daniels recounted in court details about her sexual encounter with Trump at a Nevada hotel in 2006. Although her testimony included lurid details, its relevance to the case centered on the hush payment, not the extramarital relationship itself.
In contrast, Cohen described how he paid Daniels days before the election and was subsequently reimbursed by Trump. The defense has attempted to discredit Cohen, highlighting his previous lies, his changes of opinion and his role as a media manipulator.
After closing arguments, the jury must deliberate and reach a unanimous verdict. If even one juror disagrees, Judge Merchan will instruct them to continue deliberating until they reach a joint decision. If they persist in their disagreement, Merchan could declare a mistrial, a situation in which the trial ends without a joint verdict.
The verdict of this trial is of great relevance not only for Trump’s legal future, but also for his political career and the upcoming presidential election.
With information from EFE.
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