The controversial hush money trial of Donald Trump is moving closer to a verdict as the prosecution started delivering its closing argument. But, a lawyer of Donald Trump argued that jurors should set aside their personal views in the case since the former US president was just a victim of blackmailing.
Donald Trump's Lawyer Claims Ex-POTUS Victim of Blackmailing
Todd Blanche, Donald Trump's lawyer in the hush money case, told jurors that they should set aside their personal beliefs when considering if the ex-POTUS should be convicted for falsifying documents to cover up a payment that ensured porn star Stormy Daniels not to say anything to the voters during the 2016 U.S. presidential election.
"This isn't a referendum on your views of President Trump," Trump's lawyer told Reuters.
"If you focus just on that evidence you heard in this courtroom, this is a very, very quick and easy not guilty verdict," he added.
Blanche said, in his closing argument, that the porn star was blackmailing Donald Trump, saying that she'll go public about her story if the former president does not pay her. However, Trump strongly denied having sexual intercourse with Stormy Daniels.
Lawyer Explains Why Donald Trump Should Be Acquitted
According to The Guardian, Todd Blanche provided 10 reasons why Donald Trump should be acquitted in the hush money case. Among these are the following:
- Fixer Michael Cohen didn't create invoices for Donald Trump but for legal services.
- There's a lack of evidence proving that the vouchers or checks, which prosecutors claim illegal, were seen.
- There's no evidence that Donald Trump tried to defraud anyone.
As of this writing, Donald Trump faces three other criminal prosecutions. These include the case accusing him of overturning the 2020 election and the one charging him with mishandling classified information after leaving the office in 2021.
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