The former President Donald Trump’s criminal trial in New York is anticipated to conclude next week with closing arguments on May 28th.
Judge Juan Merchan announced that the trial will run longer than initially expected, which would push a jury decision into the seventh week of the trial.
He stated that having a long break during Memorial Day holiday could not be avoided due to the court’s schedule.
Judge Merchan also ruled against allowing defense expert Bradley Smith, a former member of the Federal Election Commission (FEC), to provide his opinion on election law when testifying in the case.
The judge cited rules that prevent expert witnesses from interpreting laws and stated Mr.
Smith cannot offer an analysis on whether President Trump’s actions violated election laws.
The court is expected to take a break this Wednesday, as well as this Friday and next Friday, May 27th.
On May 17th, there was no court session due to Donald Trump attending his son Barron’s high school graduation in Florida.
Prosecutors have brought about 20 witnesses to testify, including former Trump associate and lawyer Michael Cohen, who claimed that the ex-president directed him to make payments to an adult film performer for her silence.
The former president has pleaded not guilty to falsifying business records, stating that charges were brought to harm his chances in the 2024 presidential campaign.
Michael Cohen’s testimony was expected to conclude on May 20th, after which President Trump’s legal team would have an opportunity to present their evidence and witnesses, though it is unclear if they will call any at this point.
The defense attorneys mentioned that they do not think they would require much time unless the former president decides to testify.
If President Trump opts to take the stand, he could argue that he was not responsible for the paperwork central to the case and could address claims made by adult film performer Stormy Daniels, who also testified.
In this scenario, the former president would face cross-examination by prosecutors who could attempt to reveal inconsistencies in his statements.
The New York trial is considered the least consequential of the four criminal prosecutions Trump faces but may be the only one to go to trial before the election.
The ex-president also faces election-related charges in Washington and Georgia, as well as charges in Florida for mishandling classified documents after leaving office in 2021.
He has pleaded not guilty in all three cases.
In a recent statement, President Trump mentioned that he was supposed to be campaigning instead of attending the court proceedings.
He criticized the judge’s decision to call the trial earlier and highlighted the long gaps between the days in court, which he finds unfair.