Key players in Donald Trump’s New York hush money trial
Key players in former President Donald Trump’s criminal charges in New York over hush money paid to adult film star Stormy Daniels.
Former president Donald Trump’s hush money trial is on break Monday, but court will reconvene Tuesday morning.
Although the jurors and lawyers typically gather on Monday mornings, Judge Juan Merchan ruled last week that there would be no proceedings today.
Monday is part of the last two days of the Jewish holiday of Passover. Court also let out early on April 22 and April 23 to allow people to travel for religious gatherings.
Trump faces 34 counts of falsifying business records to disguise the hush money payment issued to porn star Stormy Daniels that allegedly constituted an illegal campaign contribution.
Here is what to know as Trump’s trial continues into week three:
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Trump trial schedule
The trial, entering its third week, is expected to last six-to-eight weeks, according to a media advisory.
Proceedings typically start at 9:30 am local time, and run through the business day. Court is on break on Wednesdays.
Trial is not televised, but you can read transcripts
New York City Criminal Court is publishing the trial transcripts and copies of the evidence shown to the jury.
Transcripts of proceedings aren’t always available, but officials decided to make them available due to “unparalleled public interest.”
Monday, Tuesday and Thursday’s transcripts are currently available on the New York State Unified Court System’s media website. Evidence shown to the jury, including texts, emails and photos, are also available from last week’s proceedings.
Week 2 ended during third witness testimony
Jurors heard from three witnesses last week.
First, David Pecker, the former head of the National Enquirer’s parent company, testified about how he used the publication to write positive stories about Trump and prevent negative stories about him from coming out during his 2016 presidential campaign.
His testimony and cross-examination spanned three days. He also told his editor-in-chief he believed Stormy Daniels’ story about an alleged sexual encounter in 2006, which Trump denies.
Trump’s former executive assistant Rhona Graff made a brief appearance on the witness stand Friday. When court wrapped for the week, the prosecution was questioning Gary Farro, the former senior managing director at First Republic Bank. Farro, who was former Trump lawyer Michael Cohen’s banker in 2016, could be used to bring in email evidence about the payment issued to Stormy Daniels. CNN reported Cohen used money from his home equity line to cover Daniels’ payment, and an email from a First Republic Bank employee confirmed the transfer.
Leaving the courthouse Friday, Trump challenged President Joe Biden to a debate.
“We’ll do it at the White House,” Trump said. “That would be very comfortable, actually.”
Contributing: Bart Jansen, Aysha Bagchi
