Trump’s defense attorney calls hush money case “lies”

In their final closing argument on Tuesday, defense attorneys in the hush money trial against Donald Trump told the jury that the first criminal case against a former U.S. president was based on “lies.”

Less than six months before American voters decide whether Trump will return to the White House, the significance of the verdict can hardly be overestimated – for the 77-year-old personally, but also for the country.

Trump is accused of falsifying business records to reimburse his lawyer Michael Cohen for a $130,000 payment to porn star Stormy Daniels, whose account of a 2006 sexual encounter could have derailed his 2016 presidential campaign.

“This is a very dangerous day for America,” Trump told reporters before entering the Manhattan courtroom with three of his five children – Don Jr., Eric and Tiffany – standing behind him. “We are dealing with a rigged trial that should never have happened.”

“President Trump is innocent,” his defense attorney Todd Blanche told the jury at the beginning of his closing argument, which he said would last about two and a half hours.

“The consequences of the lack of evidence that you have heard about over the last five weeks are simple: it is an acquittal,” Blanche said.

He attacked Cohen, the prosecution’s star witness, as a liar.

“He told you a number of things on the witness stand that were flat-out lies,” Blanche said. “You cannot convict President Trump of a crime beyond a reasonable doubt based on the testimony of Michael Cohen.”

Then-President Trump was “busy governing the country” when the repayments to Cohen were made, he said, and he did not review all of the bills that landed on his desk.

“There was no intent to defraud and, furthermore, there was no conspiracy by President Trump to influence the 2016 election,” Blanche said. “He committed no crimes.”

Trump’s expression was serious as his lawyer spoke. His head was tilted to the side, surveying the jury. He gave a thumbs up as he left the courtroom during a break, but did not address reporters.

– Graphic certificate –

Prosecutors will have the final say. They will lay out the case that Trump falsified records to keep the hush money payment secret, fearing the incident would destroy his underdog’s already slim chance of defeating Hillary Clinton.

The twelve jurors, whose identities have been kept secret for their protection, will begin their deliberations on Wednesday.

Polls show Trump neck and neck with President Joe Biden in the race for the White House, and the ruling will add new tension to an already bitter battle.

When actor Robert De Niro spoke in court on behalf of the Biden campaign team, he called Trump a “clown” and a “sleazy real estate developer” who wanted to destroy the country.

Trump is the first former or current president to be impeached, with charges ranging from a relatively minor hush money case to allegations that he leaked top-secret documents and attempted to rig the 2020 election.

The New York case, in which more than 20 witnesses were called within five weeks, is the only one expected to go to trial before Election Day on November 5.

If convicted, Trump faces up to four years in prison on each of the 34 charges. However, legal experts believe that as a first-time offender, he is unlikely to receive a prison sentence.

Trump would almost certainly appeal, and a conviction would not prevent him from appearing on the ballot in November.

Trump declined to testify in his defense – a move that would have exposed him to stressful cross-examination.

Instead, he had to listen in silence as Daniels described their alleged affair and his once close personal lawyer and mediator Cohen took the witness stand.

– Unanimity required –

Trump uses his daily court visits to launch televised tirades against “corrupt” judge Juan Merchan and to claim that the trial is a ploy by Democrats to stay away from the election campaign.

Numerous Republican supporters of Trump, including several who are vying for his vice presidential nomination, have made their way to the courtroom to sit behind him.

The judge has announced that closing arguments will take up the entire day of Tuesday, after which he will give the jury final instructions on the interpretation of the law.

Unanimity is required to reach a verdict of guilty or acquittal. Even a single objection means a hung jury and a mistrial, although prosecutors can seek a retrial.

In addition to the New York case, Trump was charged in Washington and Georgia with conspiracy to overturn the 2020 election results.

In Florida, he is also accused of hoarding large quantities of secret documents after leaving the White House.

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