The jury in Donald Trump’s criminal trial in New York is gearing up for deliberations as the first criminal trial against a former president in U.S. history nears its conclusion. The 12 Manhattan residents 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 have alleged 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, however, has maintained his innocence and pleaded not guilty.
Before the jury begins deliberations, Justice Juan Merchan is set to provide crucial instructions to the jurors, outlining the legal issues they must consider and the conclusions they must reach to find Trump guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. The judge’s instructions are expected to heavily influence the jury’s decision.
During closing arguments 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.
In contrast, prosecutor Joshua Steinglass urged the jury to focus on the documents that corroborate Cohen’s account, painting Trump as a micromanager who would have been aware of the true purpose behind the payments to Cohen.
As the trial enters its final stages, all eyes are on the Manhattan courtroom where the drama has unfolded over the past six weeks. The fate of the former president hangs in the balance as the jury prepares to deliberate. Stay tuned for updates as court reconvenes at 10 a.m.