At/During Trial

[Janee]

Let's say there is a trial in some court:
1. At trial, witnesses gave conflicting testimony.
2. During trial, witnesses gave conflicting testimony.

Is there any differences between "at trial" and "during trial" that would change the meanings of these two sentences?

[emsr2d2]

Let's say there is a trial in some court:
1. At trial, witnesses gave conflicting testimony.
2. During trial, witnesses gave conflicting testimony.

Is there any differences between "at trial" and "during trial" that would change the meanings of these two sentences?

No, but in your second sentence you need the definite article. "At trial" is a recognised standalone phrase so sentence 1 is fine, but 2 needs to read "During the trial".

[Janee]

Okay. "At trial" is more literary than "during (the) trial"?

[5jj]

Not particularly. emsr2d2 did not say that.