Opening Statements Begin Today In Trump’s NYC Trial

The New York Times reports:

The first criminal trial of an American president will debut on Monday for a jury of 12 New Yorkers, as prosecutors and defense lawyers deliver opening statements that provide dueling interpretations of the evidence against Donald J. Trump.

The unprecedented case, which centers on Mr. Trump’s efforts to cover up a sex scandal involving a hush-money payment to a porn star, could reshape America’s political landscape and test the limits of the nation’s justice system.

Opening statements at a trial are like overtures: Both sides present a preview of what the jurors will hear from witnesses and what they will see in documentary evidence. They are tightly scripted performances in which lawyers seek to persuade and charm the jurors who will decide whether they win or lose their case.

Read the full article.

Opening statements in Donald Trump’s criminal trial in Manhattan will begin on Monday. The prosecution’s case — the first criminal proceeding against an American president — seems strong. Here’s a look at what could happen over the next six weeks. https://t.co/OkEbdj2iBh

— The New York Times (@nytimes) April 21, 2024