Trump trial live: Opening statements set to begin Monday in historic criminal case – The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.
Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in
Former president’s historic ‘hush money’ election interference trial gets underway in Manhattan
Find your bookmarks in your Independent Premium section, under my profile
After a tense week of jury selection, Donald Trump’s criminal hush money trial is now truly underway with opening statements from the prosecution and defence.
The jury will then hear evidence against the former president and his counter-argument before deciding his fate. The first witness will be tabloid mogul and National Enquirer owner David Pecker.
New York Justice Juan Merchan ruled that Manhattan prosecutors can question Mr Trump about a blockbuster fraud ruling, gag order violations and defamation verdicts if he chooses to testify.
The defendant spent much of the weekend complaining about the case on Truth Social and angrily posting his presidential immunity claims — on which the Supreme Court will hear arguments this Thursday.
Meanwhile, figures released by the Federal Election Commission on Saturday revealed that legal fees had eaten up three-quarters of the cash brought in by the pro-Trump Save America PAC, a key fundraising group.
Elsewhere among the myriad legal issues engulfing the former president, Monday will also see a hearing on whether to cancel Mr Trump’s $175m bond to appeal the civil fraud trial ruling and the public filing of witness statements in the classified documents case.
Donald Trump, Michael Cohen, and AMI’s David Pecker “conspired to influence the 2016 presidential election” by conceiving of the catch-and-kill scheme, Colangelo says.
Opening statements are now underway with prosecution attorney Assistant District Attorney Matthew Colangelo beginning.
“This case is about a criminal conspiracy – and a cover-up. The defendant Donald Trump orchestrated a criminal scheme to corrupt the 2016 presidential election. Then he covered up that criminal conspiracy by lying in his business records, over and over and over again.”
There do not appear to be any of the Trump family in court today to support Donald as the historic trial begins.
While instructing the jury, Judge Merchan says lawyers are not permitted to make any comments on the testimony of witnesses.
“That happens on TV and in the movies, that does not happen in real trials,” he says.
Both prosecutors and Mr Trump’s attorneys smiled at the comment.
Alex Woodward reports from the courtroom:
Manhattan prosecutors can question Donald Trump about a blockbuster fraud ruling, gag order violations and defamation verdicts if he chooses to testify in his hush money trial.
Before opening arguments in the historic trial on Monday morning, New York Justice Juan Merchan largely granted a request from the office of the Manhattan District Attorney to introduce lines of questioning around prior court rulings finding the former president liable for fraud and defamation.
Judge Merchan also will allow prosecutors to bring up his repeat violations of a gag order in a civil trial targeting allegations of fraud in his real estate empire.
Continue reading…
If he testifies, prosecutors can bring up prior court rulings in his defamation and fraud cases
Judge Juan Merchan is giving the jury their instructions, including the basic principles of law and evidence, and a reminder that the defendant is innocent until proven guilty.
The prosecution bears the burden of proof and must show it beyond a reasonable doubt — if they satisfy that, you must find the defendant guilty, Merchan says.
That decision must not be based on speculation, bias, or prejudice.
Alex Woodward reports from the courtroom:
Judge Juan Merchan has ruled that prosecutors may introduce the following past cases and judgments on cross-examination if Donald Trump testifies:
The jury is now entering the courtroom.
Donald Trump appeared fixated on the bond he posted for his civil fraud trial ruling as he was on the way into the courtroom for his first criminal trial.
New York Attorney General Letitia James says the bond should be voided.
Here’s what the former president had to say:
Mr Trump seemed to remember that he got into trouble a few times during that trial and backed off from naming the “crazed judge” — we all know he is referring to Judge Arthur Engoron.
Alex Woodward reports from the courtroom for The Independent:
Juror 9 will remain on the case after speaking with Judge Juan Merchan and prosecution and defence lawyers.
“So that’s not going to be the issue,” Merchan says.
The prosecution’s opening statement will be 40 minutes, and the defence statement will take 25 minutes.
Some housekeeping matters will be dealt with first.
First, on a defence request for clarification on the Access Hollywood tape.
“I don’t really see the confusion,” Merchan says. “At this point, I don’t really see any reason why a transcript that accurately summarises what was on the tape can’t be submitted into evidence.”
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Donald Trump at the defence table awaiting opening statements in his historic first criminal trial
POOL/AFP via Getty Images
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in
Log in
New to The Independent?
Or if you would prefer:
Want an ad-free experience?

source