Closing arguments are expected on Tuesday in the trial of former US President Donald Trump in connection with hush money payments to a porn actress. The prosecution and defense are expected to present their arguments to the twelve jurors before retiring to reach a verdict.
Trump is accused of falsifying documents in 34 cases. If convicted, the new presidential candidate faces a prison sentence of several years, which may also be conditional, or a fine. He has pleaded not guilty.
First criminal trial against a former president
This is the first criminal trial of a former American president in American history. More than twenty witnesses have been heard since mid-April. The Public Prosecution Service accuses Trump of wanting to increase his chances of success in the 2016 presidential elections by paying $130,000 (about 119.93 million euros) to porn actress Stormy Daniels.
Although the payment itself – which is not disputed by any party – was not illegal, the now 77-year-old is said to have manipulated documents to conceal the facts when reimbursing the amount to his then personal lawyer, Michael Cohen. true reason for the transaction. This made the payments illegal campaign financing.
Who will benefit from it?
The ruling will likely also have an impact on the current election campaign in the United States – the only question is: how much and in whose favor. Trump presents himself as a victim of a politically motivated justice system to mobilize his supporters. Incumbent Joe Biden does not seem to be benefiting noticeably so far.
The process can also collapse
After closing arguments, which are expected to end Tuesday or Wednesday, the 12 jurors must retire to deliberate and reach a unanimous verdict. There is no official time limit for this, but juries typically deliberate from several hours to several days. If convicted, Judge Juan Merchan will determine the sentence at a separate hearing. If the jury cannot reach an agreement, even after lengthy deliberation, the trial will fail. In this case, the prosecutor would have the option to reopen the case with a new jury.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
