Ex-Trump Attorney Says Former Client Testifying Would ‘Significantly Increase’ Chances of Conviction

A former attorney for Donald Trump said the ex-president testifying in his Manhattan criminal trial would “significantly increase” the chances of a conviction.

After a week of jury selection, Trump’s hush money trial commenced on Monday. The ex-president is accused of falsifying business records to conceal payments intended to cover up extramarital affairs he had before the 2016 election. He has pleaded not guilty to all 34 counts.

Tim Parlatore – a former attorney for Trump – joined Monday’s edition of The Source on CNN, where host Kaitlan Collins asked about the prospect of Trump testifying. The former president has said he will do so, but that has done little to persuade legal experts and Trump watchers.

“Do you think Trump ultimately testifies here?” Collins inquired. “What’s your sense?”

“I don’t think he should,” Parlatore replied. “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, of, is it worth it? Is it worth taking the risk to have him testify?”

Collins followed up by asking if 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 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.