Trump Hush Money Trial: Key Developments This Week
The Ongoing Trump Trial: Key Developments
A Battle to Define the ‘Real’ Michael Cohen
During the past week in the ongoing hush money trial of former President Donald Trump in Manhattan Court, the defence team has focused heavily on discrediting Michael Cohen, Trump's former attorney and now turned foe. In the cross-examination, the defence aimed to paint Cohen as unreliable, using his past convictions, including lying to Congress, to undermine his credibility. Despite attempts to provoke Cohen into displaying his well-known fiery temperament, he remained composed throughout his testimony. Trump's attorney, Todd Blanche, played recordings of Cohen's vehement criticisms of Trump to further question his motives and reliability.
Trump’s Attorney Scored Crucial Points
Michael Cohen has already served prison time for perjury in a different case, and the challenge for the defence team is to discredit his credibility. However, it is one thing for the jury to be told that Cohen lied previously under oath and quite another for them to be convinced that he is "lying to them" now. Thus, his testimony will be crucial.
Blanche made significant headway by challenging Cohen's claims, particularly regarding a key phone call in October 2016, which Cohen alleged involved discussions about hush money payments to Stormy Daniels. Blanche presented text messages suggesting Cohen might have been discussing unrelated matters with Trump’s bodyguard at the time, causing Cohen to backpedal on his previous statement. This moment could prove critical in shaping the jury's perception of Cohen’s trustworthiness.
Trial Nearing Conclusion
The trial appears to be approaching its end, with New York Supreme Court Justice Juan Merchan indicating that witness testimonies might conclude by Monday. The defence has yet to finish cross-examining Cohen, and there is uncertainty about whether Trump will testify, which legal experts suggest would be risky. Following the conclusion of testimonies, both sides will present their closing arguments, after which the jury will begin deliberations. The Judge hopes to expedite this process, aiming for jury deliberations to start next week.
Political Spectacle in the Courtroom
The trial has attracted significant attention from Republican politicians, particularly members of the House Oversight and Judiciary committees. These lawmakers, who have labelled the indictments against Trump as politically motivated, have been attending the trial to show their support. Their presence has occasionally disrupted proceedings, prompting complaints from prosecutors and a warning from the Judge to maintain courtroom decorum. This political dimension adds another layer of complexity to the already high-profile case.
Juror Deliberation Protocols
Jurors in the trial are tasked with recalling weeks of testimony without the aid of transcripts, a standard procedure intended to ensure they pay full attention throughout the trial. Although they can request portions of testimony to be read back during deliberations, they are not provided with transcripts to avoid selective emphasis on particular pieces of evidence. This approach, supported by legal experts, is designed to encourage jurors to base their verdict on a holistic assessment of witness credibility and courtroom proceedings.
Summing Up
The outcome of this trial will have far-reaching consequences on the political future of Donald Trump. On Friday, the trial was paused to allow Trump to attend the graduation ceremony of his youngest son, Barron. With the testimonies drawing to a close and the final verdict expected soon, the jury's decision will undoubtedly impact Trump's standing and influence within the political landscape. As the trial nears its conclusion, all eyes are on the Manhattan courtroom, anticipating a verdict that could shape the future of American politics.
