Twelve New York jurors are to begin deliberating on whether to convict Donald Trump in the first ever criminal trial of a former US president - with their decision potentially upending the November election in which the Republican seeks a return to power.
After weeks of testimony from more than 20 witnesses, the piercing glare of the legal spotlight now shifts to the jury, whose identities have been kept secret for their own protection amid soaring political tensions across the United States.
Mr Trump is accused of falsifying business records to reimburse a $130,000 payment to silence adult film actress Stormy Daniels, when her account of an alleged sexual encounter could have imperiled his 2016 presidential campaign. Prosecutors say the fraud was motivated by a plot to prevent voters from knowing about his behavior.
In a full day of closing arguments yesterday, his defence team insisted the evidence for a conviction simply did not exist, while the prosecution countered that it was voluminous and inescapable. A conviction would not bar him from the November ballot and he would almost certainly appeal. In the case of a mistrial, prosecutors could seek a new trial.Mr Trump, who was required to attend every day of the trial and will also have to be present while the jury deliberates, chose not to testify in his defence.
Ireland Latest News, Ireland Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Jury to begin deliberating on Trump's fate at NY trialJurors in Donald Trump's hush money trial will begin deliberating later on whether to return the first criminal conviction of a former president - a momentous decision that could upend the November presidential election.
Read more »
Brian and Arthur chat new baby, new home and new jobs!Brian and Arthur chat new baby, new home and new jobs at the Platinum VIP Style Awards. How iconic are these two?
Read more »
Roger Federer documentary ’Federer: Twelve Final Days’ gets its official trailerEven those of us who don’t know anything about tennis know who Roger Federer is. One of tennis’s greatest icons bid farewell to the sport that shaped his life...
Read more »
Twelve injured following turbulence on flight from Qatar to IrelandIncident comes week after man died when a Singapore Airlines flight hit severe turbulence
Read more »
Research Lives: Ask new questions, get new solutionsProf Martin O’Halloran, University of Galway and Cúram
Read more »
New partnership gives Irish start-ups access to New York opportunitiesThe partnership will allow Irish start-ups to collaborate with Empire State Development’s Division of Science, Technology and Innovation
Read more »