Strategies to Discredit Trump in NY Criminal Trial Using Past Legal History

If Donald Trump decides to testify at his New York criminal trial, Manhattan prosecutors plan to bring up his previous legal troubles to cast doubt on his credibility in front of the jury.

According to a document made public on Wednesday, prosecutors from the Manhattan District Attorney's Office intend to question the former president about his recent legal defeats. This includes the civil fraud case with the New York attorney general, where a judge ruled that Trump and his company had engaged in deceitful practices by exaggerating the value of their assets to secure more favorable loan terms.

Prosecutors are planning to interview him regarding the alleged false testimony he provided during the trial last November. They also intend to inquire about E. Jean Carroll, who has been awarded nearly $90 million by juries for her accusations that Trump raped her in 1996 and subsequently defamed her multiple times after she went public in 2019.

Prosecutors will ask about Trump's dismissed lawsuit against Hillary Clinton and the settlement with the New York attorney general that led to the end of the Donald J. Trump Foundation.

They will also inquire about the tax fraud conviction of Trump's company in 2022, a case handled by the DA's office and Judge Juan Merchan.

The judge is preparing to conduct a Sandoval hearing to determine what information prosecutors can use if Trump decides to testify during the trial.

A Sandoval hearing is a standard procedure that assesses a defendant's past criminal record and establishes boundaries on the questions prosecutors can ask if the defendant chooses to take the stand.

Merchan mentioned on Tuesday that the issue could be discussed in court on Friday, but only if jury selection is finished on time, which is still uncertain.

"If by any chance we finish early on Friday, we will address the Sandoval case then," Merchan added.

Editor's P/S:

The prospect of Donald Trump testifying in his New York criminal trial raises the stakes significantly. Manhattan prosecutors' intention to present his previous legal troubles as evidence of his credibility issues adds a layer of complexity to the proceedings. The litany of cases they plan to delve into, including the civil fraud ruling against Trump and his company, the alleged false testimony in the E. Jean Carroll case, and the tax fraud conviction of his company, paints a picture of a man with a checkered legal history.

The Sandoval hearing, where the judge will determine the admissibility of this evidence, will be crucial in shaping the narrative that jurors hear. The outcome of this hearing could significantly impact Trump's decision to testify, as the introduction of his past legal troubles could undermine his credibility and potentially damage his defense. The stakes are high, and the upcoming Sandoval hearing will be a pivotal moment in this highly anticipated trial.