The initial six days of Donald J. Trumps criminal trial, the first for an American president, were a high-intensity spectacle. <\/p>\n
A jury was seated, opening statements made and the first witness began testifying. <\/p>\n
Mr. Trump, who faces up to four years behind bars if convicted, is charged with 34 counts of falsifying business records for the way in which he accounted for a repayment to his former personal lawyer, Michael D. Cohen. <\/p>\n
Mr. Cohen had channeled money to a porn star who was shopping her story of a sexual encounter with Mr. Trump. Prosecutors say the payment was meant to cover up a scandal that could have derailed Mr. Trumps 2016 presidential campaign. <\/p>\n
All trials have set structures and formal, legal rhythms. There are meticulous exchanges and minute observations of procedure. But already, this one has also had plenty of high-stakes moments befitting the unprecedented nature of the case that is being tried. <\/p>\n
Here are five of the most memorable things that have been said in court so far: <\/p>\n
The judge, Juan M. Merchan, at 4:34 p.m. on Thursday signaled that the trial would soon begin in earnest. <\/p>\n
The process of choosing a jury was intense and arduous. Many prospective jurors excused themselves before they could even be asked a standardized set of 42 questions, citing an inability to be unbiased toward such a polarizing defendant. <\/p>\n
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Five Moments That Have Defined Donald Trump's Trial So Far - The New York Times<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The initial six days of Donald J. Trumps criminal trial, the first for an American president, were a high-intensity spectacle. A jury was seated, opening statements made and the first witness began testifying. Continue reading