Judge Juan Merchan in the Manhattan district attorney’s case against Donald Trump will rule on a defense motion to dismiss the case.
Trump is accused of falsifying business records related to a $130,000 payment to Stormy Daniels.
The prosecution rested after testimony from Michael Cohen implicating Trump.
The defense called witnesses arguing Cohen said Trump knew nothing about payments.
“How on Earth is keeping a false story from voters criminal?” attorney Todd Blanche asked, noting that it was “not a catch and kill and certainly not a criminal catch and kill.”
“There is no way the court should let this case go to the jury with Mr. Cohen’s testimony,” Blanche said.
Merchan questioned Blanche as to whether he should “find Mr. Cohen not credible by a matter of law?”
“Yes,” Blanche said.
At the close of evidence, the defense said the prosecution failed to prove intent to falsify records.
However, prosecutors argued Trump set events in motion to conceal the payments, meeting legal standards.
“As a matter of law, it is sufficient, more than sufficient, that the defendant set in motion the sequence of events leading to the falsification of business records,” prosecutor Matthew Colangelo said.
Merchan said he would reserve ruling on dismissal before jury deliberation.
He will decide Tuesday on the motion to dismiss after the defense rested without calling any other witnesses, indicating Trump will not testify in his own defense.
