Former President Donald Trump is currently in the final stretch of his New York trial, with his ex-attorney Michael Cohen back on the stand. The trial is taking place in lower Manhattan, where Cohen is expected to face the defense for the last time before redirect attempts to rehabilitate his testimony.
One key aspect under consideration is whether the defense will introduce an expert witness. The judge has left the possibility open for a federal election law expert, but the scope of permitted testimony has been significantly narrowed. This limitation may hinder the defense's strategy, as the jury has been repeatedly exposed to discussions of election violations, despite Trump not being accused of such violations related to his payments to Cohen.
There are concerns about potential risks associated with bringing in Cohen's former lawyer, Bob Costello, to testify. While some prefer a risk-averse approach, introducing Costello could open up avenues for the prosecution to introduce evidence such as Rudy Giuliani's emails, potentially complicating the case further for the jury.
The trial's dynamics suggest a delicate balance between leveraging expert testimony and avoiding unnecessary risks that could cloud the jury's understanding of the case. As the trial progresses, the defense faces strategic decisions on how best to present its case and counter the prosecution's arguments.
