opening statements stage in criminal proceedings against Donald Trumpfirst of its kind dedicated to a former president USAin a New York court on Monday this week demonstrated the reasoned basis of both sides: according to the prosecutor’s office, there was “criminal plan”but on the part of the defense the facts were simply “democracy”.

This is about unprecedented process in which Trump is accused of trying to buy the silence of an adult content actress Stormy Daniels on payment 130 thousand dollarsthereby preventing alleged love affair a past that would have harmed him 2016 election campaign.

“The defendant developed a criminal plan with the aim of ruin the 2016 electionsand then concealed the plan by lying again and again in his business records,” the deputy district attorney said. Matthew Colangelowho made the prosecution’s first statements at trial.

Colangelo recounted a 2015 meeting at Trump Tower between the former president and his former lawyer. Michael Cohen and head of media David Peckeralso former tabloid editor National ExplorerFor buy the rights to publish these stories and finally leave them aside.

These meetings, according to the deputy prosecutor, are the “core” of a conspiracy organized through American Media Inc. (AMI), the parent company of the National Enquirer, with payments made by Cohen then owed to him reimbursed to the lawyerunder the guise of remuneration for their legal services.

Although Colangelo provided details of this alleged plan, Trump simply shook his head.remain motionless and not look at the prosecutor, and sometimes you could even see his eyes closing.

In its turn, Todd Blancheone of the Republican politician’s lawyers left a loud testimony: “President (Trump) innocent and did not commit any crime. These are just 34 pieces of paper that have nothing to do with“, he assured.

“criminal” structure for the purpose of interfering in elections However, Blanche identified what prosecutors were citing as a democratic strategy.

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“I have a “spoiler”: there is nothing wrong with trying to influence elections. This is called democracy. They’re trying to make it something sinister“Blanche added, later accusing Stormy Daniels of using the ‘fling’ (adventure with Trump) to catapult your career and Cohen as “obsessed with ending Trump.”

In addition to the prosecutors’ and defense’s allegations, David Pecker was first and only witness to appear this Monday, answering questions Prosecutor Joshua Steinglass about their time at the National Enquirer.

“We were engaged in check journalism and paid for articles”confirmed Pecker, who assumed he had the “final editorial say” on every issue in which more than $10,000 was invested.

Opening statements ended early medical question one of the alternate members of the jury, but it will resume tomorrow, starting at 11:00 local time in New York (9:00 Central time in Mexico).

The day before, starting at 9:30 local time (07:30 Mexico time), there will be Trump contempt hearing to a “gag order” that restricts his public comments on the case after it went viral on the social network Pravda, attacking key witnesses, court staff and Judge Juan Merchán himself.

Trump faces maximum four years imprisonment for each crime if he is found guilty, but according to local media, it is unclear what the final sentence will be given the lack of precedent, with some even speculating that The judge could only order evidentiary measures.

(EFE)