New York: The jury in the case of Donald Trump’s money began deliberating on Wednesday whether to extradite the former president in his first criminal conviction or a landmark decision that could influence the November presidential election.
After weeks of testimony from more than 20 witnesses, the legal spotlight shifted to the 12-member panel that holds Trump’s fate in its hands.
After the judge gives his final order, the jury will retire to consider a verdict that will affect Trump and the country as a whole, whichever way he goes.
Trump has been accused of falsifying employment records to pay veteran movie actress Stormy Daniels $130,000 to keep quiet when his 2016 presidential campaign was threatened.
If Trump is convicted, the political consequences will be greater than the seriousness of the charges, because five months before the presidential election, the candidate will also be sentenced.
During a full day of closing arguments on Tuesday, the defense team said there was no evidence of the murder, while prosecutors said it was voluminous and irreparable.
“The defendant’s intent to deceive could not be clearer,” said prosecutor Joshua Steinglass, who urged jurors to use “common sense” and return a guilty verdict.
Require the unanimity of the jury to return a verdict of guilty or not guilty-a single abstention means dissent.
If convicted, Trump could face up to four years in prison on each of the 34 counts, but legal experts say he will not face prison time as a first-time offender.
The job cuts won’t prevent him from being on the ballot in November.
In their closing arguments to the jury, prosecutors described Michael Cohen, the prosecution’s star witness, as a liar accused of “blatant hatred of Trump”.
“There was no intent to defraud, and there was no conspiracy to influence the 2016 election,” said Trump’s attorney, Todd Blanche.
Steinglass said there is corroborating evidence in addition to Cohen’s testimony.
Speaking to reporters before entering a Manhattan courtroom on Tuesday, Trump called it “a very dangerous day for America.”
Trump chose not to testify in his own defense.
Instead, he used the court visit to say the lawsuit was a Democratic ploy to keep him off the campaign trail.
Polls show Trump neck-and-neck against President Joe Biden, and the decision will fuel passion as the race for the White House heats up.
In addition to the New York case, Trump is accused of conspiring to sway the 2020 elections in Washington and Georgia.
He was also accused in Florida of withholding many classified documents after leaving the White House.
The New York case is the only one to go to trial before Election Day.
