Judge Juan Merchan is expected to bring jurors back into court on Tuesday morning to hear closing arguments in the New York v. Trump criminal trial. Manhattan prosecutors and defense attorneys for former President Trump will present their summations of the case before jurors begin deliberating on a verdict.
The case, brought by District Attorney Alvin Bragg, accuses Trump of falsifying business records to conceal a $130,000 payment made to adult film star Stormy Daniels during the 2016 presidential campaign. Prosecutors allege that Trump directed his former attorney, Michael Cohen, to make the payment to silence Daniels about an alleged affair with Trump in 2006.
Trump has denied the allegations and his defense attorneys have argued that there is no evidence to connect him to any falsification of business records. They also claim that Cohen acted on his own and that Trump was not involved in any wrongdoing.
Judge Merchan has not yet announced his decision on the defense’s motion to dismiss the case. He is expected to give jury instructions on Wednesday after closing arguments are completed.
The jury will then begin deliberating on a verdict. Trump is required to remain at the courthouse during deliberations in case the jury has any questions or requests for additional information.
The former president has maintained his innocence throughout the trial and has repeatedly attacked the prosecution’s case as a politically motivated witch hunt.
The outcome of the trial is uncertain, but a guilty verdict could have significant legal and political consequences for Trump. A conviction could lead to prison time and fines, and it could also damage his reputation and make it more difficult for him to run for office in the future.
