NEW YORK (NewsNation) — Former President Donald Trump’s New York hush money trial began Monday with opening statements.
Prosecutors laid out their arguments against Trump just days after New York Judge Juan Merchan rejected Trump’s legal team’s last-ditch effort to delay the trial after claiming the jury selection process was unfairly rushed last week. The jury, which was chosen over four days, consists of seven men and five women with six alternates.
Preparing Trump’s jury
The judge informed the jury Monday that they must immediately report to the court if anyone attempts to influence them. The jurors were also told not to research the case outside the courtroom or to discuss the case while the trial is ongoing.
“Only you have promised to be fair. No one else has been so qualified for this trial,” Merchan said to the jurors.
Trump faces 34 counts of falsifying business records related to a hush money payment his ex-fixer, Michael Cohen, made to adult film actress Stormy Daniels to cover up an alleged affair with Trump ahead of the 2016 election.
Prosecutors will need to convince the jury that the former president falsified business records with the intent to defraud and to commit or further another crime to prove he is guilty.
However, Trump has maintained his innocence and pleaded not guilty to all charges against him. He has since claimed the case against him is election interference.
Trump trial opening statements
Assistant District Attorney Matthew Colangelo delivered opening statements for the prosecution, saying, “This case is about a criminal conspiracy and cover-up.”
“The defendant Donald Trump orchestrated a criminal scheme to corrupt the 2016 presidential election. Then he covered up that criminal conspiracy by lying in his New York business records over and over and over again,” Colangelo said.
Trump disregarded Colangelo, refusing to look his way during opening statements, CNN reported.
During opening statements, the prosecution provided a timeline of events since the alleged hush money payments began in 2015. Prosecutors also walked the jury through the evidence that is expected to be presented throughout the trial, including recorded calls between Trump and Cohen.
Trump’s attorney Todd Blanche presented opening statements for the defense.
“President Trump is innocent. President Trump did not commit any crimes,” he started.
Blanche argued that the checks to Cohen were cut in 2017 after he became Trump’s personal attorney, claiming the “34 counts” were “just pieces of paper.”
“None of it was a crime,” Blanche said.
The defense said they will focus more time on Cohen during cross-examination. Blanche painted Cohen as someone who is “obsessed” with the former president.
What to expect during Trump trial
The court is scheduled to adjourn at 2 p.m. Monday and Tuesday due to Passover this week. The court will still meet for its four regularly scheduled trial dates this week on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.
Trump will also be battling a potential gag order related to the trial in court, calling it unfair.
After opening statements, prosecutors called David Pecker as their first witness Monday. Pecker, a former publisher at the National Inquirer, allegedly helped orchestrate the payments to Daniels. Pecker has reportedly been granted immunity in exchange for his testimony for the prosecution.
Cohen and Daniels are also among those expected to testify during the trial. Trump said he would testify if asked to do so.
The trial is expected to last anywhere from six to eight weeks.
The Hill contributed to this report.
