Prosecutors, defense hash out jury instructions ahead of Trump trial closing

Hours after former President Trump’s defense rested its case-in-chief, the prosecution and defense returned to the courtroom to hash out specifics for jury instruction and other outstanding legalities.

The proceedings in the Manhattan courtroom began around 9:30 a.m. with the testimony of a witness whose decorum on the stand a day prior led the judge to briefly clear his courtroom. Robert Costello, a former adviser to ex-fixer Michael Cohen, was called as the defense’s second and last witness in the case, in which Trump is charged with falsifying business records.

Court went into recess shortly after the defense rested its case, and returned in midafternoon to hash out details for another couple of hours.

Judge Juan Merchan said he would finalize jury instructions this week. Closing arguments will begin next week, after the Memorial Day weekend.