Experts say his calmness strengthened prosecutors’ ability to build their case, and his testimony was bolstered by a weak first day of cross-examination by Trump’s legal team.
Experts told the BBC that Trump’s lawyer Todd Branch appeared disorganized at first and at times stuttered during his questioning.
But he appeared to make progress the next day, Thursday, by raising questions about details of Cohen’s testimony, including his claims in October 2016 to Mr. Trump’s bodyguard that he had to discuss confidential details with Mr. Trump.
It’s a reminder of what experts say is one of prosecutors’ biggest problems: Cohen’s credibility. The defense emphasized that Cohen is a convicted criminal who has been imprisoned for lying to Congress and other crimes.
Cohen was able to testify about a key part of prosecutors’ case – that Trump had direct knowledge of the hush-money repayment scheme.
Cohen said Trump’s former finance chief, Allen Weisselberg, who is currently serving a sentence at Rikers Island prison for perjury, decided to list the reimbursement of Trump’s account as a legal expense. Cohen testified that he heard Weisselberg get approval from Trump himself.
As Cohen spoke, prosecutors also presented dozens of checks, account books and invoices that are at the heart of the 34-count indictment.
But Cohen’s story may not sway all jurors.
“The witnesses you’re relying on carry more baggage in many ways than others,” Ms. Lenderman said. “This makes it more difficult to prove a case beyond a reasonable doubt.”
