“Disgraced former lawyer Michael Cohen concluded his testimony in a New York criminal courtroom, wrapping up the prosecution’s case against his former boss, ex-President Donald Trump. Monday marked Cohen’s final day on the witness stand, with his testimony being the last before the prosecution rested its case. The trial now shifts to the defence, aiming to counter allegations that Trump falsified business records to cover up a hush-money payment to adult film actress Stormy Daniels in a bid to boost his chances in the 2016 presidential election. Cohen confessed to transferring $130,000 to Daniels at Trump’s direction, with Trump allegedly reimbursing the payment under the guise of ‘legal expenses’. However, on Cohen’s last day on the stand, the defence sought to discredit him by highlighting his past lies and theft. The defence continues to assert Trump’s innocence in the case, with Trump denying any wrongdoing and refuting Daniels’s claims. Day 19 of the trial also marked the beginning of a shortened week, as the defence’s witness list is expected to be brief and the court will adjourn early for the Memorial Day holiday. The trial has seen Trump facing 34 felony charges of falsifying business records. Here are the key points from Cohen’s final day of testimony. The prosecution rested its case after wrapping up its cross-examination of Cohen, where they got him to admit to stealing $30,000 from the Trump Organization. This revelation was seen as a victory for the defence, with Trump’s allies viewing it as evidence of Cohen’s greed. The defence argued that figures like Cohen and the Trump Organization’s former CFO were responsible for any wrongdoing and not Trump himself. Cohen’s cross-examination focused on his profits from consulting contracts after Trump’s election and his subsequent legal troubles, including his guilty plea to campaign finance violations. The prosecution emphasized that Trump’s actions were on trial, not Cohen’s personal conduct. As the defence called its first witnesses, including lawyer Robert Costello, tensions arose in the courtroom over objections to Costello’s testimony. Judge Merchan had to intervene to address Costello’s behavior and ensure proper decorum in the courtroom. Costello’s testimony centered on his interactions with Cohen and his efforts to rebut Cohen’s claims. The defence’s case is now in full swing as they seek to exonerate Trump in the hush-money trial.”
