(AFP) – Donald Trump’s trial on criminal charges of covering up hush money payments to a porn star to protect his 2016 election campaign could go to the jury next week.
Judge Juan Merchan said Monday that “issues” that cropped up over the weekend made it “apparent that we are not going to be able to sum up tomorrow” as he had hoped. He said the goal would now be “finishing up everything this week… so we can have summations first thing next week.”
The defense is expected to finish its cross-examination of star witness Michael Cohen on Monday, after which the prosecution has said it will rest. Trump’s team can then present a defense if they want to, though there is no requirement to do so.
The two sides have been arguing over whether the defense attorneys can call an expert witness to testify on campaign finance law. The prosecution has successfully sought to limit the scope of what that witness can testify to, with the judge saying that too much legal explanation would overstep the testimony’s role. Only the judge, not a witness, is meant to help the jurors understand the law.
Also on deck is juror instructions, which helps the 12 members understand their task. The prosecution and defense have submitted proposals, which the judge will ultimately decide.
Wednesday is the court’s normal break day, and Friday and Monday, which is a holiday, will also be off-days.
The trial is now in its sixth week.
© 2024 AFP
