A panel of MSNBC commentators recently discussed how Stormy Daniels’s former lawyer, Keith Davidson’s witness testimony was “difficult” for the prosecution and may ultimately benefit former President Donald Trump.
Davidson testified on Thursday in the trial where Donald Trump faces 34 felony charges based on accusations that he falsified business documents relating to reimbursing his former lawyer, Michael Cohen, for the $130,000 hush money payment made to Stormy Daniels before the 2016 election.
Former assistant New York State Attorney General Adam Pollock claimed that Davison was a “difficult witness.” He stated, “I think Davidson is one and a line of difficult witnesses that have already come before and are going to be coming in this trial. This is a messy trial and sort of gives us all a insight a crack into what this sword world is about between the National Enquirer and selling stories. It’s not pretty to watch.”
MSNBC legal analyst Catherine Christian played off this sentiment, noting that the attorney’s testimony could end up being “helpful” to the defense. Christian suggested that Davidson could be viewed as a lawyer who “shakes down” clients.
“He was helpful in that he established that there was a paid off that he negotiated with Michael Cohen but he was helpful to the defense because he has, particularly since the prosecution didn’t bring out some of his bad acts on their direct examination. He appears to be in the defense view, just a lawyer who shakes down people whether it was Hulk Hogan, or other people, that’s what he did,” she said.
Christian added that Trump’s legal team could argue that Davidson exploited their client. Further emphasizing the problematic nature of the witness, she continued, “And maybe that’s what happened here. That’s the defense will say this was a shakedown of Donald Trump. This wasn’t about paying someone is an illegal campaign contribution. This was a shakedown and Michael Cohen, it’s it’s an understatement to say how difficult a witness he is for the prosecution.”
Later in the discussion, the legal analyst commented on the charges brought against Trump of falsifying business documents, noting that it is not a crime in the state of New York, per se. Moreover, Christian claims the prosecution has yet to prove criminal conduct sufficiently. Watch the discussion below:
Christian stated, “The charges this way if you’re gonna go back to it is falsifying business records. It is not illegal in New York to put false entries in your business records it becomes illegal with this done with the intent to defraud, and it becomes a felony if the intent to commit or conceal another crime. So the prosecution has to prove that beyond a reasonable doubt. So far, we haven’t got there yet.”
Former President Donald Trump has consistently maintained his innocence in the hush money trial, stating the case brought against him by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg is merely an attempt to disrupt his campaign efforts ahead of the election.
Note: The screenshot is a featured image from the embedded video.
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