Former President Donald Trump’s legal team and prosecutors have kicked off their opening statements in the trial regarding alleged hush money payments made to an adult film star.

This trial is significant as it marks the first time prosecutors are presenting a criminal case against a former president to a jury. The trial is happening months ahead of the November US presidential election, where Trump is expected to run against incumbent Joe Biden.

Both sides will present their arguments in a preliminary manner, outlining the legal strategies they intend to use in the anticipated six-week trial.

Trump faces 34 felony charges of falsifying business records, with prosecutors alleging that he diverted campaign funds to pay hush money to Stormy Daniels, who claimed to have had a sexual encounter with Trump. The Manhattan District Attorney’s Office contends that Trump paid Daniels to keep quiet during the final weeks of the 2016 election, where he faced off against Hillary Clinton.

Prosecutor Matthew Colangelo accused Trump of orchestrating a criminal scheme to influence the 2016 election and then covering it up in business records through repeated lies.

The defence team is expected to argue that the charges are politically motivated and that the payments were made to prevent a potential smear campaign. Trump has consistently denied the allegations of an affair with Daniels.

The trial began with a week of jury selection, resulting in 12 jurors and six alternates being seated. The proceedings were marred by a tragic incident outside the courthouse where a man set himself on fire and later succumbed to his injuries.

Key witnesses in the trial are expected to include David Pecker, the former publisher of the National Enquirer, along with Stormy Daniels and former Trump lawyer Michael Cohen.

There is speculation about whether Trump will take the stand in his defense, with experts cautioning against it due to the potential legal risks.

Trump, meanwhile, has called on his supporters to protest peacefully outside courthouses, as the trial unfolds.

This story is still developing, with updates expected as the trial progresses.

Source: Al Jazeera and news agencies
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