A previous lawyer for Donald Trump says that if the ex-president testifies in his criminal trial in Manhattan, the chance of getting convicted would go up a lot.
After a week of selecting the jury, Trump's trial for hush money began on Monday. The former president is accused of lying about business records to hide payments meant to cover up affairs he had before the 2016 election. He has pleaded not guilty to all 34 charges.
Tim Parlatore – a former attorney for Trump – appeared on CNN's Monday show, where the host The Source Kaitlan Collins asked about Trump testifying. The ex-president has said he will testify, but many legal experts and Trump watchers don't think he should. “Do you think Trump ultimately testifies here?” Collins asked. “What’s your sense?” done little “I don’t think he should,” Parlatore answered. “Will he? Obviously, that’s his choice. That’s a decision that really comes down to the wire, and based on how the trial has progressed up to that point, is it worth it? Is it worth taking the risk to have him testify?”
Collins then asked whether Trump testifying would increase or decrease the chances of a conviction.
“Oh, I think it would significantly increase,” he said without hesitating. “Because if the jury doesn't believe him on anything, even something small, they’re going to use that against him and are much more likely to convict.”
Collins also asked if Trump testifying would raise or lower the chances of being convicted.
“Oh, I think it would significantly increase,” he said without hesitating. “Because if the jury disbelieves him on anything, however small, that’s something they’re going to hold against him and be much more likely to convict.”
Watch above via CNN.
