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By Luc Cohen
NEW YORK (Reuters) – In a shocking decision, Justice Juan Merchan has allowed the testimonies of Michael Cohen and Stormy Daniels in the upcoming trial of former President Donald Trump. The charges stem from hush money that Cohen, Trump’s former lawyer, paid Daniels, a porn star, before the 2016 election.
Trump had requested to block their testimonies, citing Cohen’s history of lying and Daniels’ potential desire to profit from the trial. However, Merchan dismissed Trump’s plea, stating there was no valid reason to exclude a witness based on credibility concerns.
The ex-president, who has pleaded not guilty to charges related to falsifying business records, faces a trial that has been delayed due to evidence disclosure disputes. The new trial date is expected to be determined after a court hearing on March 25.
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s office, which brought the charges against Trump, declined to comment. Similarly, Trump’s legal team refused to provide a statement.
This case is one of several legal challenges Trump is confronting as he contemplates a potential run against Democratic President Joe Biden in 2024. The other indictments focus on his efforts to contest the 2020 election results and handling of government documents post-presidency.
Prosecutors allege that the payment to Daniels was part of a larger scheme devised by Trump and Cohen to silence individuals with damaging information. Cohen previously pleaded guilty to violating campaign finance laws in 2018.
Despite some limitations set by Merchan, including a restriction on playing the “Access Hollywood” tape in court, Trump still faces a tough legal battle ahead.
(Reporting by Luc Cohen and Dan Whitcomb; editing by Deepa Babington and Howard Goller)
