Trump’s hush money trial is coming to an end. Here’s what to expect

The first-ever criminal trial of an American president is now drawing to a close in Manhattan Criminal Court after five weeks of extraordinary testimony and courtroom antics.

Donald Trump is accused of 34 charges of the illegal falsification of business records to conceal a $130,000 payment to porn star Stormy Daniels one month before the 2016 presidential election, to ensure her silence about an alleged sexual encounter in 2006.

Mr Trump denies both the liaison and the charges against him.

Since 15 April, jurors have heard testimony from a string of colorful characters connected to the case, including Mr Trump’s former “fixer” Michael Cohen, ex-tabloid boss David Pecker and Ms Daniels herself.

Meanwhile, outside the court, the American public has heard Mr Trump give daily remarks to reporters, railing against the case and those involved.

But, when it came to Mr Trump’s chance to speak up on the witness stand, he backed out.

Now, both the prosecution and defense have rested their cases, with closing arguments set for Tuesday 28 May.

The jury will then begin deliberations to decide the fate of the former president.

With the trial nearing its end, here’s what to expect:

Prosecutors have “stepped up” the misdemeanor crimes (falsification of business records) to felony status by arguing that he falsified documents in an effort to commit or conceal another crime. Those other alleged crimes include election conspiracy and campaign finance and tax law violations.

If convicted, Mr Trump could theoretically face more than a decade in prison.

The maximum sentence for each Class E felony count against him is four years in prison, which would add up to 136 years behind bars, although New York imposes a 20-year sentencing cap for