The opening statements in the first criminal trial of a former American president provided a clear roadmap of how prosecutors will try to make the case that Donald Trump broke the law, and how the defense plans to fight the charges on multiple fronts.
Republican presidential candidate and former President Donald Trump speaks outside the Manhattan Criminal Court in his trial for allegedly covering up hush money payments linked to extramarital affairs in New York on Monday, April 22, 2024. of a former American president provided a clear roadmap of how prosecutors will try to make the case that Donald Trump broke the law, and how the defense plans to fight the charges on multiple fronts.
Prosecutors' characterizations appear designed to combat suggestions by some pundits that the case — perhaps the only one that will go to trial before the November election — isn't as serious as theTrump, meanwhile, sought to downplay the accusations while leaving the courtroom on Monday, calling it all a “bookkeeping" case and “a very minor thing.”Trump’s attorney used his opening statement to attack the case as baseless, saying the former president did nothing illegal.
"It’s called democracy,” Blanche told jurors. “They put something sinister on this idea, as if it’s a crime. You’ll learn it’s not.” Whether jurors believe Cohen, who says he arranged the payments to the women at Trump's direction, could make or break the case forTrump's lawyer highlighted Cohen's criminal record, describing him as a serial liar who turned against Trump after he was not given a job in the administration after Trump's 2016 victory and found himself in legal trouble.
“I suspect the defense will go to great lengths to get you to reject his testimony precisely because it is so damning,” the prosecutor said.Former National Enquirer publisher David Pecker is the first witness for prosecutors, who say that Trump’s alleged scheme to conceal potentially damaging information from voters began with a 2015 Trump Tower meeting among the then-candidate, Pecker and Cohen.
Pecker’s brief turn on the stand Monday was mainly just about his background and other basic facts, though he did say the Enquirer practiced “checkbook journalism” — paying for stories — and that he had the final say on any story about a famous person.The prosecutor referred to Trump throughout his opening statement as “the defendant.” Trump's lawyer took a different tack, calling him “President Trump.
Elections Karen Mcdougal Michael Cohen Donald Trump U.S. News Joe Biden Stephanie Clifford
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Who are the key players in Donald Trump's Manhattan hush money trial?Jury selection in the trial began Monday, April 15.
Read more »
Who are the key players in Donald Trump's Manhattan hush money trial?Michael Cohen and Stormy Daniels are among the witnesses expected to testify in the weeks-long Manhattan trial.
Read more »
Who are the key players in Donald Trump's Manhattan hush money trial?Michael Cohen and Stormy Daniels are among the witnesses expected to testify in the weeks-long Manhattan trial.
Read more »
Key players: Who's who at Donald Trump’s hush money criminal trialDonald Trump’s hush money criminal trial shifts to opening statements Monday, followed by the start of witness testimony
Read more »
Key players: Who's who at Donald Trump’s hush money criminal trialDonald Trump’s hush money criminal trial shifts to opening statements Monday, followed by the start of witness testimony.
Read more »
Key players: Who's who at Donald Trump’s hush money criminal trialDonald Trump’s hush money criminal trial shifts to opening statements Monday, followed by the start of witness testimony.
Read more »