Today In People Vs Trump: It’s Time For Closing Arguments To The Jury

August 16, 2024May 28, 2024 by Krishna Patel

Table of Contents

People Vs Trump Closing arguments are set to begin on Tuesday in the People of the State of New York v. Donald J. Trump case, which represents the first criminal trial of a former U.S. president. After over 20 days of testimony, the prosecution and defense will make their final pitch to the jury of 12 ordinary New Yorkers who will then deliberate and decide Trump’s fate. The former president faces 34 felony counts of falsifying business records related to a hush money payment made to adult film star Stormy Daniels during the 2016 presidential campaign. Prosecutors allege Trump directed a scheme to cover up the payment, which they claim was an illegal campaign contribution. Trump has maintained his innocence, with his defense team expected to argue the prosecution failed to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. If convicted, Trump could face up to 20 years in prison, though first-time offenders often receive lesser sentences. This high-stakes legal battle represents a landmark case with far-reaching implications, not only for Trump’s political future but also for the U.S. justice system and democracy.

Also Read: Big Oil And The Chamber Plan To Protect Biden Climate Law From Trump

Key Takeaways

The People of the State of New York v. Donald J. Trump case represents the first criminal trial of a former U.S. president.
Trump faces 34 felony counts of falsifying business records related to a hush money payment made to Stormy Daniels during the 2016 election.
Prosecutors allege Trump directed a scheme to cover up the payment, which they claim was an illegal campaign contribution.
If convicted, Trump could face up to 20 years in prison, though first-time offenders often receive lesser sentences.
The high-stakes trial has far-reaching implications for Trump’s political future and the U.S. justice system.

The Hush Money Trial: A High-Stakes Legal Battle

This trial represents Donald Trump’s first criminal case, with the former president facing 34 felony counts of falsifying business records related to a $130,000 hush money payment made to adult film star Stormy Daniels in the closing days of the 2016 presidential election.

Also Read: Brian Kemp Plans To Attend GOP Convention As He Strengthens Political Operation

Prosecutors allege Trump directed a scheme to cover up the payment, which they claim was an illegal campaign contribution made to influence the election. The charges carry a maximum sentence of up to 20 years in prison. Trump has pleaded not guilty, with his defense team expected to argue the prosecution failed to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

Donald Trump’s First Criminal Trial

The high-stakes trial is seen as a landmark case, representing the first criminal prosecution of a former U.S. president. This trial marks a significant moment in American history, as the judicial system grapples with the unprecedented scenario of a former president facing criminal charges.

The Charges: Falsifying Business Records

The 34 felony counts of falsifying business records stem from the $130,000 payment made to Stormy Daniels during the 2016 presidential campaign. Prosecutors allege that Trump directed his former fixer, Michael Cohen, to make the payment to the adult film star in order to silence her about an alleged sexual encounter with Trump, and that the payment was then falsely recorded in the Trump Organization’s financial records as a legal expense.

Prosecution’s Case: Covering Up Alleged Sexual Encounter

The prosecution’s case rests on testimony from witnesses like Trump’s former fixer Michael Cohen, who said he facilitated the payment at Trump’s direction, and Stormy Daniels, who claimed to have had a sexual encounter with Trump. The prosecutors argue that the payment was made to influence the outcome of the 2016 election and that Trump’s actions constitute a criminal conspiracy to cover up the alleged affair.

Closing Arguments: The Final Phase

As the trial enters its final stage, both the defense and prosecution will deliver their closing arguments to the jury, presenting their final cases before the jurors begin deliberations.

Also Read: Republicans Frustrated That Herschel Walker Has Millions In Unused Campaign Funds

Defense’s Expected Arguments

The defense, led by attorney Todd Blanche, is expected to argue that the prosecutors from Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s office have failed to meet the burden of proving Donald Trump guilty beyond a reasonable doubt of the 34 felony counts of falsifying business records. Blanche has previously stated that “President Trump is innocent” and that no crime was committed, with the money paid to Trump’s former lawyer Michael Cohen being for legal work, not the hush money payment to Stormy Daniels.

Prosecution’s Expected Arguments

In contrast, prosecutors are expected to argue that they have proven Trump was responsible for the falsified business records and that he did so to cover up another crime – a necessary element of the felony charge. Prosecutor Matthew Colangelo has described the payment to Daniels as part of a “planned, coordinated long-running conspiracy to influence the 2016 election” through illegal expenditures and concealed payments.

The Jury: 12 Ordinary New Yorkers Decide

After hearing the closing arguments from both the prosecution and defense, the 12 ordinary New Yorkers who make up the jury will begin the deliberation process to determine whether Donald Trump is guilty or not guilty on the 34 counts of falsifying business records. The jury must reach a unanimous decision on each of the counts in order for the judge to enter a verdict. If the jury cannot unanimously agree on any of the charges, the judge could declare a mistrial.

Also Read: Truly Harsh: Why America Hottest City Is Experiencing A Spike In Deaths

Jury Deliberation Process

The jury’s deliberation will involve carefully reviewing the evidence, testimony, and legal arguments presented during the trial. They will discuss the merits of the case, analyze the prosecutors’ and defense’s claims, and determine whether the state of New York has proven Trump’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt for each of the 34 felony counts.

Potential Verdicts and Sentences

If convicted, Donald Trump could face a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, though first-time offenders often receive lesser sentences, such as fines, probation or community service. The jury could also potentially find Trump guilty of a lesser misdemeanor offense, which carries a maximum of one year in jail per count. A mixed verdict, with the jury finding Trump guilty on some counts but not others, is also possible and would impact the potential sentence.

Key Witnesses: From Cohen to Daniels

The prosecution called several key witnesses to testify during the trial, shedding light on the details of the alleged scheme to conceal a payment to during the 2016 presidential campaign.

Also Read: Trump Prepares For The Final Phase Of His Historic Criminal Trial.

Michael Cohen: Trump’s Former Fixer

One of the prosecution’s star witnesses was , ‘s former personal lawyer and “fixer.” Cohen testified that he facilitated the $130,000 payment to at the direction of , in an effort to suppress the adult film star’s claims of a sexual encounter with prior to the 2016 election. Cohen, who later pleaded guilty to campaign finance violations related to the payment, described himself as the “quarterback” in the plan to cover up the alleged affair.

Stormy Daniels: Adult Film Star at the Center

, the adult film star at the center of the case, also took the stand to provide her account of the alleged sexual encounter with and the subsequent hush money payment. Daniels testified that she was threatened with physical harm if she went public with the story, which she claimed was true.

David Pecker: Tabloid Impresario’s Testimony

The prosecution also called , the former CEO of American Media Inc., the parent company of the National Enquirer tabloid. Pecker testified that he had agreed to help “catch and kill” negative stories about him, including the alleged affair with . Pecker’s testimony aimed to corroborate the prosecution’s claims of a coordinated effort to conceal the payment and influence the 2016 election.

People Vs Trump: A Landmark Case

The criminal trial of former President Donald Trump in the People of the State of New York v. Donald J. Trump case is a landmark moment in U.S. history. As the first-ever criminal prosecution of a former American president, this trial carries profound implications not only for Trump himself, but for the nation’s democratic institutions and the future of the 2024 presidential election.

First Criminal Trial of a Former President

The fact that a former U.S. president is facing criminal charges is a remarkable and unprecedented development. Donald Trump, who served as the 45th president from 2017 to 2021, now stands accused of 34 felony counts of falsifying business records related to a hush money payment made to adult film star Stormy Daniels during the 2016 presidential campaign. This case has shattered long-held norms and tested the limits of the American justice system’s ability to hold a former commander-in-chief accountable.

Implications for 2024 Presidential Election

The outcome of this trial could significantly impact the 2024 presidential election landscape. If Trump is convicted, it could effectively end his aspirations for a political comeback and a second term in the White House. Conversely, an acquittal could embolden Trump and his supporters, potentially fueling his bid to reclaim the presidency. The case has already become a focal point of intense partisan division, and its resolution is likely to further polarize the American electorate.

In the ongoing legal battle of “People vs. Donald Trump,” the prosecution led by New York criminal investigators and Cyrus Vance Jr., Manhattan’s district attorney, is fervently pursuing a case against Trump. The Manhattan grand jury, tasked with scrutinizing everything they could about Trump’s business practices, saw Trump deny allegations vehemently. Despite resignations in protest within the attorney’s office for the Southern District, the investigation of Trump and his alleged violations of New York laws continues. The justice system works—and sometimes doesn’t work—as demonstrated by the complexities of prosecuting a former president. Trump and his ex-lawyer Cohen are central figures in this saga, with offers for ebooks detailing the intricacies of the case available to new readers eager to understand the intricacies of the “People vs. Donald J. Trump” case spearheaded by Cyrus Vance Jr.

In the heart of Manhattan, amidst the legal tumult surrounding former President Donald Trump and the Trump Organization, Mark Pomerantz, a retired lawyer with a lifetime of legal experience, offers a fascinating inside account of the attempt by Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance Jr. to prosecute Trump for a myriad of financial crimes. Pomerantz, drawing from his extensive background as a federal prosecutor, provides a compelling narrative detailing the intricate dance between the raindrops of accountability, as Trump manages to evade indictment despite gathering enough evidence to support the view held by many that Trump should be prosecuted. Inside the pages of his book, released in New York County in February 2021, Pomerantz reveals the inner workings of the investigation, from his own interviews with potential witnesses to the resignation of colleagues like Carey Dunne, who resigned in protest when the district attorney refused to act. Despite the efforts of Pomerantz and others within the New York District Attorney’s office, the indictment never happened, leaving a sense of frustration among those who believed Trump should face justice. Pomerantz’s account offers not only a devastating portrayal of how prosecutors think and work within the state of New York but also an entertaining story of the challenges faced in seeking justice against a powerful figure like Donald Trump and the Trump Organization.

Also Read: Big Oil And The Chamber Plan To Protect Biden Climate Law From Trump

Conclusion

As the trial of “People vs. Trump” draws to a close, the courtroom buzzes with anticipation as both the prosecution and defense prepare to deliver their closing arguments to the jury. Throughout the trial, riveting testimonies, compelling evidence, and impassioned legal debates have unfolded, painting a vivid picture of the case against the former president. From allegations of hush money payments to discussions about falsified business records, every aspect of Trump’s actions has been scrutinized under the watchful eye of the court. Now, as the trial reaches its climax, both sides will make their final appeals, seeking to sway the jury with their interpretation of the facts and their assessment of Trump’s culpability. For the prosecution, it’s a chance to drive home the narrative of wrongdoing and to hold Trump accountable for any alleged crimes. Meanwhile, the defense will strive to sow doubt, challenge the credibility of witnesses, and present alternative explanations for the events in question. As the legal teams present their closing arguments, the fate of Trump hangs in the balance, with the jury tasked with the weighty responsibility of rendering a verdict that will have far-reaching implications for the former president and for the country as a whole.

FAQs

Q: Who is Mark Pomerantz?

A: Mark Pomerantz is a retired lawyer and a federal prosecutor involved in the investigation of former President Donald Trump and the Trump Organization.

Q: What is the inside account referred to in the case against Trump?

A: The inside account is a fascinating insight into the attempt to prosecute former President Trump and the Trump Organization, provided by individuals involved in the investigation.

Q: What role does the New York District Attorney play in the prosecution of Donald Trump?

A: The New York District Attorney, specifically the Manhattan DA’s office, is responsible for overseeing the investigation and potential prosecution of Donald Trump in New York County.

Q: Why did Mark Pomerantz resign from the case against Trump?

A: Mark Pomerantz resigned in protest when Manhattan’s District Attorney refused to pursue charges against Trump, believing that everything he could about Trump’s business practices should be exposed.

Q: What is the significance of the People vs. Donald Trump case?

A: The case against Trump represents a pivotal moment in the justice system, highlighting how the system works and sometimes doesn’t work when it comes to high-profile individuals like Donald Trump.

Q: What is the Southern District of New York’s involvement in the investigation of Donald Trump?

A: The Southern District of New York has been actively involved in various aspects of the investigation into Donald Trump and the Trump Organization, collaborating with other jurisdictions.

Q: Should Donald Trump be indicted according to the investigation findings?

A: Many believe that the evidence uncovered in the investigation points towards the need to indict and prosecute former President Donald Trump for his alleged involvement in various illegal activities.

Source Links