New York —Donald Trump’s defense lawyers rested their case Tuesday (Wednesday in Manila)—without the former president following through on a vow to testify —as the judge scheduled jury deliberations in the historic criminal trial for next week.
The trial has not been televised due to New York law, and experts are divided on whether the five weeks in court, more than 20 witnesses and often salacious testimony have damaged Trump politically.
But the looming verdict represents a moment of peril for Trump, less than six months before election day when he hopes to oust President Joe Biden and return to the White House.
“I think a great case was put on… It should be dismissed before you even have any verdict,” the Republican said outside court Tuesday.
“It’s very sad. But the good news is they’ve not proven the case. There is no crime.”
Judge Juan Merchan told jurors that closing arguments would take place next Tuesday when each side will make their pitch to the 12 New Yorkers who will decide Trump’s fate. AFP