(NewsSpace.com) – Former President Donald Trump’s hush money trial is underway. The jurors have been chosen, and prosecutors are preparing to move forward. But first, they filed a notice with the court for a Sandoval hearing, with what they expect to bring up should Trump take the stand in his own defense. During this hearing, Judge Juan Merchan will determine what, if any, of the content can be used during cross-examination.
Prosecutors filed a three-page notice that includes a list of “all misconduct and criminal acts of the defendant not charged in the indictment,” which they plan “to use at trial to impeach” Trump’s credibility. It might be short, but there’s a long list of acts that prosecutors, including District Attorney Alvin Bragg, plan to use.
The defamation case Trump recently lost and is appealing against E. Jean Carroll is on the list. In that instance, he was ordered to pay more than $80 million for repeatedly defaming the former journalist.
The prosecution plans to raise the $454 million civil judgment in New York City for fraud and the gag orders — and violations thereof — against him. A “frivolous, bad faith lawsuit” Trump brought against former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is also on the table, as is his alleged perjury in the business fraud case.
Trump’s defense team has indicated that these acts should not be allowed to be presented. The decision lies in Judge Merchan’s hands, as he is the one to make the final determination. However, should Trump decide not to take the stand, it is unlikely these topics will be brought up at all.
In this hush money case, Trump is facing 34 counts accusing him of falsifying business reports in order to hide a $130,000 payment to Stephanie Clifford, known professionally as Stormy Daniels. He allegedly had an affair with her while his wife, Melania, was pregnant with their son, Barron.
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