(NewsReady.com) – The New York criminal case against former President Donald Trump has almost reached its conclusion. Both the prosecution and defense have wrapped up their cases. Trump’s team hopes to have the case thrown out, but, in the meantime, both sides are preparing for closing arguments.
On Monday, May 20, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s team rested the state’s case. Prosecutors have charged Trump with 34 felony counts for allegedly falsifying business records in a scheme to hide hush money payments to a former adult film star he’s accused of having an affair with. After the prosecution wrapped up, defense attorney Todd Blanche asked Judge Juan Merchan to dismiss the case.
Blanche argued the prosecution didn’t have a case because its star witness, Michael Cohen, was unreliable. Cohen was the former president’s attorney and fixer. He accused Trump of directing the hush money payment and cover-up. During cross-examination, Cohen admitted to being a liar and stealing from his former client.
Prosecutors said documents and other evidence supported all of Cohen’s testimony. Merchan announced he would take the motion into consideration, a standard practice for criminal cases. The judge seemed skeptical, though, telling the defense that if Cohen did lie, the jury of 12 New Yorkers would be able to figure that out.
The defense rested its case on Tuesday. Trump did not take the stand in his defense, despite saying he wanted to testify. His son, Donald Trump Jr., defended his dad’s decision, saying, “Everyone sees it for the sham that it is.”
Merchan sent the jury home for a week and warned them not to speak to anyone about the trial. He said that usually closing arguments take place after the defense rests, but with the holiday weekend coming up, he decided to move them back.
The court resumes on May 28. Merchan will presumably rule on the motion to dismiss sometime before then.
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