Trump hush-money case: Judge permits Michael Cohen, Stormy Daniels to testify

A New York judge will allow Michael Cohen and Stormy Daniels to testify at former President Trump's hush-money trial, overruling Trump's objections. In two separate decisions Monday, Judge Juan M. Merchan ruled on a series of motions from prosecutors and the defense on whether to exclude certain testimony and evidence from Trump's upcoming trial. The trial was scheduled to begin next Monday but has been delayed until mid-April after new evidence came to light.

Cohen pleaded guilty in 2018 to federal campaign finance violations related to the alleged hush-money payments and other unrelated crimes. He was imprisoned for about one year before being released to home confinement during the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2019, federal prosecutors in the Southern District of New York opted out of charging Trump related to the payments made to Daniels and McDougal. The Federal Election Commission also tossed its investigation into the matter in 2021.

Merchan also ruled Monday that the infamous 'Access Hollywood' tape — in which Trump bragged about grabbing a woman's private parts without consent — will not be shown at trial. The judge said prosecutors may question witnesses about the 2005 video, which was unearthed during the final weeks of the 2016 presidential campaign. However, he added 'it is not necessary that the tape itself be introduced into evidence or that it be played for the jury.

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