Donald Trump’s Lawyer Starts Closing Argument: “The District Attorney Has Not Met The Burden Of Proof, Period” — Update

deadline.com:

UPDATE: Todd Blanche, Donald Trump‘s lead defense attorney, started opening arguments by telling jurors that Donald Trump “is innocent.” “He did not commit any crimes, and the district attorney has not met the burden of proof, period,” Blanche told jurors, per Cat Giona, reporting for Rolling Stone. “This case is about documents.

It’s a paper case. This is not about an encounter with Stormy Daniels 18 years ago, an encounter President Trump has repeatedly and categorically denied ever occurred.” He argued that allegations — that business records were falsified to cover up the reimbursement for hush money payments to Daniels — were in fact “accurate and there was absolutely no intent to defraud.” Jurors are in for a long day.

The defense says that it will need about 2.5 hours for its summations; the prosecution says it will need 4.5 hours. That will take up the day, and may mean that jurors will be asked to stay beyond the 4:30 p.m.

ending time. The courtroom also is full of notable figures, including Trump’s daughter Tiffany, sons Eric and Don Jr. and Eric’s wife Lara, the co-chair of the Republican National Committee, per Politico.