The judge presiding over the criminal trial of former President Donald J. Trump announced on Monday that the proceedings would be extended, with closing arguments now expected to take place next week. Due to the long weekend for Memorial Day, the jurors will not receive the case until after the holiday, making next week the trial’s seventh week.
Following over seven hours of cross-examination, Michael D. Cohen, Trump’s former lawyer and fixer, will return to the stand on Monday for final questioning by the defense team. Prosecutors were initially set to rest their case after Cohen’s testimony, but the schedule changes have pushed this back.
The trial will be adjourned on Wednesday, as well as on Friday and Monday for Memorial Day. Cohen is the 19th witness called by the Manhattan district attorney’s office in the first criminal trial of a U.S. president. The defense will have the opportunity to present their case, with the possibility of Trump testifying still undecided.
Closing arguments will follow the defense’s case, where lawyers will summarize the evidence for the jurors. The judge will then instruct the jury on how to determine the verdict, which is crucial in this complex case involving 34 criminal counts.
After instructions, the jury will deliberate, likely starting after the Memorial Day weekend. If they reach a unanimous verdict, they will return to announce whether Trump is guilty or not. If not, a mistrial may be declared, allowing prosecutors to retry the case.
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