Perry Stein, a Justice Department reporter, joins the crew to discuss closing arguments in Trump's New York trial. They explore witness credibility, trial strategies, legal intricacies, Trump's involvement, and the jury deliberations on felony counts.
Defense emphasized caution with Cohen's words to prevent Trump's conviction.
Prosecution relied on tangible evidence like phone records to establish Trump's guilt.
Deep dives
The Jury Deliberation Process and Closing Arguments
The podcast episode delves into the crucial moment of waiting for the jury to decide on 34 felony counts in the trial of Donald Trump. The defense emphasized not trusting Michael Cohen's words to avoid sending Trump to jail. The defense lawyer faced criticism for implying jail time, leading to a curative instruction from the judge. Cohen's testimony aimed to connect Trump to the charges, portraying a contrite and measured demeanor despite defense attempts to challenge his credibility.
Focus on Evidence and Prosecution's Strategy
The prosecution highlighted tangible evidence like phone records and documents to establish Trump's involvement in fraudulent activities. Pecker's testimony on Trump's knowledge of payments and Cohen's role was pivotal. The prosecution aimed to direct the jury's attention to Trump's actions and knowledge, emphasizing the significance of documentary evidence over Cohen's credibility.
Impact of Questions from the Jury and Importance of Evidence
The jury's inquiries focused on key testimonies regarding Trump's awareness of transactions and meetings, reflecting their interest in Trump's direct involvement. The distinctions in Trump's signed checks and other evidence provided considerations for possible verdicts. The podcast underscores the weight of jury deliberations and the intricate details crucial in determining Trump's guilt or innocence on the 34 counts.
This week, the crew discusses the closing arguments from both the prosecution and defense in Trump's New York trial. Justice Department reporter Perry Stein joins Libby Casey and James Hohmann in the studio, while Rhonda Colvin reports from outside the Manhattan courthouse.
Plus, what were the legal instructions that Justice Juan Merchan gave the jury?
And when there's a verdict, join us on WashingtonPost.com for live video coverage. A new episode of The Trump Trials: Sidebar will publish soon after the verdict is read, and you can keep up with The Post's ongoing coverage in The Trump Trials newsletter.
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