Former United States president Donald Trump’s criminal New York hush money trial is set to move further with opening statements from witness to be heard today, CNN reported.
The trial, which began more than a year after his indictment, passed jury last week.
Let’s meet the notable people in Trump’s trial other than the Republican presidential candidate and adult actress Stephanie Clifford, famously known as Stormy Daniels.
Michael Cohen
Cohen, 57, is Trump’s former personal attorney who claims to have been directed by his boss to pay $13,000 as hush money to Daniels. Trump and his legal team deny the allegations.
He landed in federal prison over that transaction for breaking campaign finance laws.
David Pecker
Pecker, 72, is the former publisher of the National Enquirer who allegedly helped broker a deal with Daniels and arranged to “catch and kill” a story about Trump’s other affair model and actress Karen McDougal.
Pecker has been granted immunity in the federal investigation in exchange for his testimony before a grand jury.
Hope Hicks
Following the release of a tape in which Trump made vulgar comments about his treatment of women, Trump’s then-press secretary Hicks, called Cohen to prevent further sexual allegations from becoming public, according to court documents.
According to CNN citing a source familiar with the case, Hicks is expected to be called to testify.
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg
Manhattan district attorney Bragg led the investigation into the former president’s involvement in the hush money payment, inheriting the probe from his predecessor, who initiated it during Trump’s White House tenure.
Trump has repeatedly attacked Bragg, attempting to cast the investigation as politically motivated.
Judge Juan Merchan
New York Supreme Court Judge Juan Merchan is presiding over the case and has been involved in other cases related to Trump and his allies.
These include the Trump Organization tax fraud trial, former Trump adviser Steve Bannon’s criminal fraud case, and the sentencing of Allen Weisselberg, Trump’s longtime chief financial officer.
