New York: Donald Trump’s landmark trial reached its final verdict on Tuesday, with a jury to decide whether to dismiss the former US president’s first criminal case.
With six months to go before American voters decide whether to return Trump to the White House, it’s hard to overstate the stakes of the decision — for the 77-year-old himself and for the country as a whole.
Trump has been accused of falsifying employment records to buy porn star Stormy Daniels over a 2006 sex scandal that could have hurt his 2006 presidential bid.
If convicted, he faces up to four years in prison on each of the 34 counts, but lawyers say he will not face prison time as a first-time offender.
Most importantly, the decision will not prevent Trump from running against Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden in November.
It took almost five weeks, ended with testimony from more than 20 witnesses and some courtroom fireworks – the last chance for the prosecution and defense to make their case to the anonymous, 12-member jury.
As expected, Trump chose not to testify in his own defense – a move that would expose him to the threat of legal action and judicial scrutiny.
For a man who has always prided himself on being in charge and in control, the silent, passive role is not easy.
At times, especially when Trump was forced to sit and listen, Daniels described his alleged encounter in graphic detail.
Speaking to reporters before and after each day of the hearing, Trump called Judge Juan Mercan “corrupt” and “cruel” and called the entire case an “election” aimed at blocking Democrats. campaign trail.
Jobs policy has been behind Trump in recent days, with a group of leading Republicans, including several vice presidential candidates, appearing in court and speaking to the media.
In all, he was cited 10 times for contempt of court and fined $10,000 for disobeying an order barring Merchan from openly assaulting witnesses, jurors, court officials or their relatives.
The judge said he expects closing arguments to be concluded on Tuesday.
He will then give his final instructions to the jury, which will begin deliberations on Wednesday.
Unanimity is required to return a verdict of guilty or not guilty. A single arrest means a suspended sentence and a grievance.
