Former US President Donald Trump's trial on charges of paying "hush money" to adult film actress Stormy Daniels during the 2016 presidential election continued at the Manhattan Criminal Court in New York.
In today's hearing, the court continued the cross-examination of Michael Cohen, Trump's former lawyer who was also known as his right-hand man at the time, while Trump's defense team attempted to expose inconsistencies in Cohen's statements.
Trump's lawyer Todd Blanche accused Cohen of lying about a phone call he claimed to have had with Trump shortly before the 2016 presidential election regarding the hush money payment to adult film actress Stormy Daniels, stating that the call was not about the 130 thousand dollar payment, but rather about harassment from a person calling to make prank calls. To Blanche's remark regarding the phone call, "This is a lie. You can admit it," Cohen replied, "No, I cannot admit it. Because I am not sure that your claim is true."
TRUMP'S LAWYER PLAYS AUDIO RECORDINGS
Questioning Cohen's credibility, Blanche stated that Cohen had previously lied to the US Congress and the US Department of Justice, and had also made false statements in court. Reminding that Cohen had personally requested a pardon from Trump but had stated in public that he would not accept such a pardon, Blanche also played audio recordings for the jury in which Cohen said he was "filling the case with pleasure" and that he was "dizzy with hope and joy while imagining Trump and his family in prison." When asked by Blanche, "Does the outcome of this case affect you personally?" Cohen replied, "Yes." The cross-examination of Cohen, the key witness in the case, is expected to continue on Monday.
POSSIBILITY OF PRISON SENTENCE
In the case, publicly known as the "hush money" trial, Trump is accused of paying "hush money" to adult film actress Stormy Daniels before the 2016 presidential election and falsifying official records to cover up the payment. The trial, which is significant as Trump is the first former US President to be tried in a criminal case in US history, could result in Trump facing up to 4 years in prison.
News Source: İHA
