Defence begins cross-examination of lawyer in Trump's hush money trial
Lawyer Keith Davidson returned to the witness stand in Donald Trump's hush money trial on Thursday (Friday morning AEDT) following a contempt hearing over whether the former president violated a gag order again.
Judge Juan M. Merchan heard from both prosecutors and one of Trump's defence attorneys about four more prospective violations, including comments Trump made about the political makeup of the jury and comments he made to reporters in the courthouse hallway.
No immediate decision on the potential sanctions would made and it was unclear when Merchan might rule.
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Merchan already sanctioned the former president on Tuesday, fining him $13,900 over nine online posts and threatening him with jail time if he continues violating the gag order.
The trial entered is in its 10th day and second week of witness testimony.
Prosecutors have said that Trump and others conducted a scheme to illegally influence the 2016 election by purchasing and burying salacious stories that might hurt his campaign.
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Trump is accused of falsifying internal business records to cover up hush money payments — including $US198,000 given to porn actor Stormy Daniels by Cohen — recording them instead as legal expenses.
He has pleaded not guilty to 34 felony counts of falsifying business records.
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The case is the first-ever criminal trial of a former US president and the first of four prosecutions of Trump to reach a jury.
ision this past Tuesday will inform the approach we take to future
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