Former President Donald Trump’s decision not to take the stand in his ongoing criminal trial has sparked intense speculation and debate among legal experts. The high-stakes trial, in which Mr. Trump faces 34 felony charges of falsifying business records, has captivated the nation as prosecutors lay out their case against the former president.
Legal analysts note that Mr. Trump’s choice to remain silent during the trial is not uncommon, as testifying would have exposed him to aggressive questioning from prosecutors and potentially damaging revelations from his past, including unfavorable verdicts in recent civil trials. The decision to forgo taking the stand comes as no surprise to many, given the potential risks involved.
Throughout the trial, Mr. Trump’s legal team has called only two witnesses, in contrast to the prosecution’s parade of 20 witnesses. As the trial nears its conclusion, Justice Juan Merchan has dismissed the jury for the day, setting the stage for closing statements from both sides.
In a highly technical hearing, both prosecutors and defense lawyers made arguments on how the judge should instruct the jury on applying the law and using the evidence presented in the case. One point of contention was whether the jury should be instructed to agree on which second crime Mr. Trump allegedly sought to commit or conceal by falsifying business records.
Despite a request from Mr. Trump’s lawyer, Justice Merchan declined to specify which crime prosecutors believe Mr. Trump committed or concealed, opting to keep the specifics relatively vague. The judge’s decision drew attention to the intricacies of the legal proceedings, with moments of levity breaking up the intense atmosphere in the courtroom.
As the trial moves forward, all eyes are on Justice Merchan as he prepares to deliver detailed instructions to the jury and send them out to deliberate. The fate of Mr. Trump now rests in the hands of 12 regular New Yorkers, who will determine his guilt or innocence on each of the 34 charges. The outcome of the trial remains uncertain, but one thing is clear – the legal drama surrounding Mr. Trump’s case is far from over.
