American prosecution trial process with a unique defendant.
The upcoming trial of Donald J. Trump, the first criminal prosecution of a former U.S. president, is set to begin on Monday in Manhattan. This trial will be conducted like any other criminal case, despite the high-profile nature of the defendant. The charges against Mr. Trump involve allegations of falsifying records to conceal a $130,000 payment to adult film star Stormy Daniels. The prosecution argues that this payment was part of a larger scheme to suppress negative stories about Mr. Trump before the 2016 election, leading to 34 felony counts of falsifying business records.
Mr. Trump has maintained his innocence and denies any sexual encounter with Ms. Daniels. The trial started with the selection of jurors who are sworn to be fair and impartial in their deliberations. Opening statements will be presented to the jury, followed by the calling of witnesses by both the prosecution and defense. Key witnesses such as David Pecker, Michael D. Cohen, Hope Hicks, and Stormy Daniels may testify during the trial.
While the prosecution cannot compel Mr. Trump to testify, he has expressed interest in taking the stand. After all evidence is presented, closing arguments will be made by the lawyers summarizing the case. The jury will then deliberate to determine whether Mr. Trump is guilty of the charges beyond a reasonable doubt. A unanimous decision is required for each count, and if the jury is unable to reach a verdict, a mistrial may be declared.
If convicted, Mr. Trump could face probation or up to four years in prison. The trial is expected to be closely watched as it unfolds in the coming days.
Source: The NY Times
