Judge to consider Trump’s defense request to dismiss case after prosecution finishes presenting evidence in New York.
Will Trump’s Case be Dismissed? Judge Set to Rule Soon
Judge Juan Merchan is expected to make a crucial decision on Tuesday regarding the motion filed by Donald Trump’s defense team to dismiss the case against the former president. The prosecution concluded its case recently after presenting days of testimony from key witness Michael Cohen.
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg has charged Trump with 34 counts of falsifying business records. The crux of the case hinges on proving that Trump falsified business records 34 times to hide a $130,000 payment to adult film actress Stormy Daniels, allegedly to silence her about an alleged affair in 2006, just before the 2016 election.
Despite the charges, Trump has maintained his innocence and pleaded not guilty.
Defense Counters Prosecution’s Case
Following Cohen’s extensive testimony, Trump’s defense attorneys swiftly called their own witnesses to support their client’s innocence. Todd Blanche, one of Trump’s defense attorneys, argued for the case’s immediate dismissal, insisting that there is no evidence of false filings or business records.
Blanche emphasized that there was no intent from Trump to mislead or falsify any records, pointing out that the payments made to Cohen were part of a legitimate retainer agreement. He highlighted that there was no criminal intent behind the financial transactions, dismissing them as routine business practices.
Legal Battles in the Courtroom
The courtroom drama escalated as Blanche strongly refuted the prosecution’s allegations of a “catch and kill” strategy employed to suppress negative stories about Trump. He questioned the criminality of withholding false information from the public and asserted that Cohen’s credibility was seriously compromised due to his history of deceit.
Merchan, the presiding judge, engaged in a heated exchange with Blanche, questioning Cohen’s reliability as a witness. However, Blanche’s resolute stance on dismissing Cohen’s testimony from the jury’s consideration added a new twist to the proceedings.
Prosecution Makes a Stand
The prosecution, led by Matthew Colangelo, stood firm on the charges against Trump, arguing that even if Trump did not directly falsify records himself, his actions precipitated the creation of false documents. Colangelo underscored that Trump’s involvement in the payment scheme was sufficient to warrant legal repercussions.
Merchan indicated that he would deliberate on the motion to dismiss the case before allowing the jury to deliberate on the allegations.
Cohen’s Revelations and the Prosecution Rests
The case took a dramatic turn as Cohen admitted to diverting funds from the Trump Organization for personal gain, citing a grievance over reduced bonuses. His confession exposed the inner workings of the payment arrangement with Stormy Daniels, implicating Trump in the process.
Despite the prosecution’s mounting evidence, Trump’s defense presented witnesses, including Daniel Sitko and Robert Costello, to counter Cohen’s claims of Trump’s ignorance regarding the payments. Both witnesses affirmed Trump’s purported lack of involvement in the controversial transactions.
Courtroom Tensions and Closing Arguments
The courtroom tension reached a boiling point as Costello faced off with Judge Merchan over objections raised during his testimony. Merchan’s stern admonitions highlighted the high-stakes nature of the trial, urging all parties to maintain decorum during the proceedings.
With closing arguments slated for the following week, the case’s ultimate outcome rests on Merchan’s impending ruling and the jury’s verdict. Will Trump emerge vindicated, or will the prosecution’s evidence prove insurmountable? The courtroom saga continues as the legal battle unfolds.
