Published on April 15, 2024, 12:40 am

The unpredictable criminal trial of a former US president, scheduled to begin this Monday in Manhattan’s New York Supreme Court, is certain to receive widespread attention. Despite initial hesitations, District Attorney Alvin Bragg has lodged a 34-count indictment against former President Donald Trump alleging falsification of business records connected with so-called “hush money” payments made to Stormy Daniels before the 2016 election.

This move comes after both Bragg’s predecessor and the Department of Justice declined to prosecute. Should the legal proceedings continue as planned – an uncertainty given the unforeseen developments that often precede and occur within trials – it is projected that they will extend for six to eight weeks.

Selecting an impartial jury could be a lengthy process due to Trump’s notoriety and the case’s high-profile status. The challenge lies in finding twelve jurors, along with six alternates who do not possess pre-existing strong viewpoints regarding all aspects of the case.

As is mandatory in criminal matters, Trump is expected at trial every day. His defending team includes Todd Blanche; Susan Necheles, his representative in 2022’s Trump Organization trial; and Emil Bove — all of whom have experience as federal prosecutors.

As part of pre-trial discussions on ‘Sunday Morning Futures’, Professor Jonathan Turley from George Washington University Law School termed the prosecution “legally absurd”. According to him, this case exhibits characteristics similar to a timed-out state misdemeanor pioneered into imitating a federal crime. This opinion acknowledges the reluctance shown by District Attorney Alvin Bragg in initiating charges initially rejected by his predecessor and deemed unchargeable by the Department of Justice under federal law.

Moreover, New York doesn’t seem like the ideal location for Trump’s trial considering previous attempts by his legal team to transfer proceedings from Manhattan over to Staten Island. Nonetheless, Trump did manage garnering 12 percent of votes from this borough in 2020 (a 2.5% increase from 2016), which may influence jurors’ political predispositions during verdict evaluation.

The convoluted nature of Bragg’s prosecution efforts could potentially provide Trump with a small glimmer of hope, considering that a conviction necessitates a unanimous verdict.

Follow the proceedings for trusted news updates and expert analyses on this crucial trial from a Christian worldview. Keep abreast of all breaking news topics, ensuring you are informed with real news from unbiased sources. Regardless of the outcome, remain with us as we bring you continuous coverage and important updates throughout the duration of this defining trial.