During Donald Trump's hush money criminal trial, the court is currently on a lunch break, with the prosecution preparing to continue rehabilitating its star witness, Michael Cohen, after facing intense scrutiny of his credibility during cross-examination. Retired New York criminal court judge George Grasso, who was present in court, shared insights on the proceedings.
Trump's attorney, Todd Blanch, elicited an admission from Cohen under oath that he had taken money from the Trump Organization. However, Judge Grasso opined that this revelation did not significantly damage Cohen's credibility. Cohen explained the circumstances, portraying Trump in a negative light for his manipulative business practices.
As the trial progresses, the prosecution is focusing on key moments, such as the infamous October 24th phone call involving Keith Schiller and Donald Trump. The DA is seeking to establish the context of the conversation through evidence like C-SPAN footage showing Schiller and Trump together at a rally.
Judge Bershon, overseeing the trial, anticipates that closing arguments may commence next Tuesday, with a break on Friday and Monday due to the Memorial Day holiday. However, the exact timeline remains uncertain, with the possibility of closing arguments starting sooner.
With the trial nearing its conclusion, the focus is shifting towards the jury deliberation phase. Whether the case reaches the jury by Thursday or the following Tuesday, the legal proceedings are approaching a critical juncture.
