Opening statements to begin in Trump’s historic criminal trial

Former President Donald Trump is back in court for Day 5 of the “hush money” trial in New York today where prosecutors are set to make their opening statements. For the first time in history, a jury will watch the prosecution present a criminal case against a former American president. Trump is accused of a scheme to prevent damaging stories about his personal life from becoming public during his election campaign in 2016.

In a case brought by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, Trump is charged with 34 felony counts of falsifying business records. This includes a payment of $130,000 to adult movie star Stormy Daniels to keep her from going public with a sexual encounter with Trump. The jury selection process was completed on Friday, with 12 jurors and six alternates being chosen to hear the case.

David Pecker, the former chairman of the National Enquirer’s parent company American Media Inc (AMI), is expected to be the first witness called by the Manhattan district attorney’s office. In October 2016, an agent for Daniels contacted AMI and said she was willing to go public with her allegations of an affair with Trump. Pecker then allegedly contacted Trump’s personal attorney, Michael Cohen, who negotiated the deal to “purchase [her] silence” for $130,000, according to court filings. The DA’s office is expected to call him after opening statements are completed. Daniels and Cohen are also expected to appear as witnesses during the trial.

New York State law regarding media coverage is among the most restrictive in the country and the trial will not be televised. However, some reporters are allowed into the courtroom. The prosecutors and defense lawyers are expected to give jurors and the public the clearest view yet of the allegations at the heart of the case.