Former Donald Trump attorney, Tim Parlatore, shared his insights on Wednesday concerning Michael Cohen’s impact on the ongoing criminal trial of Trump in New York.
Parlatore, who left Trump’s legal team in May, commented on CNN, acknowledging the challenge of establishing credibility for someone like Cohen with his history. However, he noted that reports suggest Cohen has been effectively “connecting with the jury” by presenting his version of events.
According to reports by Newsweek on Thursday, May 16, 2024, Cohen, formerly Trump’s attorney and now a key witness for the prosecution, has accused Trump of involvement in forging financial documents to conceal a hush money payment made to adult-film actress Stormy Daniels during the 2016 presidential campaign.
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Despite Trump’s denial of any sexual relations with Daniels and his plea of not guilty to all charges, Cohen’s testimony remains pivotal in the trial.
In an attempt to evaluate Cohen’s credibility, Parlatore emphasized the importance of scrutinizing any inconsistencies within Cohen’s testimony.
He suggested that Trump’s attorney, Todd Blanche, should concentrate on highlighting any falsehoods in Cohen’s statements rather than delving into unrelated allegations.
Newsweek sought comments from both Trump’s campaign and Cohen ahead of Thursday’s trial, reflecting the ongoing interest in the case from various media outlets.
Katherine Fung, a senior reporter for Newsweek, provided insights into Cohen’s demeanor during the trial proceedings.
Fung observed Cohen’s demeanor as “calm” and “somber” while facing questions from both the prosecution and defense.
Cohen admitted to past instances of bullying and lying while working for Trump, further shaping the narrative presented to the jury.
Concerns were raised about the potential influence of congressional members and lawmakers present in the courtroom on the jury’s decision.
However, Florida’s Palm Beach State Attorney, Dave Aronberg, dismissed these concerns, stating that jurors are instructed to base their verdict solely on evidence and law, disregarding external influences.
Trump’s trial is set to resume with Cohen returning to the stand, continuing to provide crucial testimony.
Meanwhile, Trump himself made an appearance at the trial accompanied by notable figures including North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum, Representative Byron Donalds of Florida, and former Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy.
Also present were Trump’s middle son, Eric Trump, and Lara Trump, his wife and co-chair of the Republican National Committee.
House Speaker Mike Johnson voiced his support for Trump outside the courthouse, underscoring the political significance of the trial.
