But in the end, the 12 New Yorkers weighing the fate of Donald J. Trump did not see him testify.
On Tuesday, the defense rested its case after Mr. Trump declined to take the stand at his own criminal trial, forfeiting his only opportunity to defend himself but also avoiding what could have been a calamitous error.
Defendants rarely testify, but Mr. Trump stands apart as the only American president to ever face a criminal trial, a serial litigant who thinks of himself as his own best advocate.
Mr. Trump, who is once again the presumptive Republican nominee, had said repeatedly that he wanted to testify.
But on Tuesday morning, Mr. Trump said in front of television cameras in the courthouse hallway that his lawyers would rest without his taking the stand.
Persons:
Donald J, Trump, Robert J . Costello, Michael D, Cohen
Organizations:
Yorkers, Republican