Jury deliberations begin in silent payment case against Trump.
The prosecution accused the ex-president of New York on Tuesday during their closing argument of having premeditated intentions to deceive and urged for a guilty verdict. On the contrary, Trump's lawyer, Todd Blanche, expressed the need for a not-guilty ruling due to "insufficient evidence."
The deliberations of the jury might go on for several days; unanimity is necessary, or the case won't stick. If they fail to agree, the legal standoff would conclude in failure. In the event of a guilty ruling, the judge would later decide on the penalty. Although prison time is a possibility, legal experts predict that, should Trump be convicted, he would likely face probation or a fine instead.
Judge Merchan ordered Trump to stay in the Manhattan court till the verdict is revealed on Wednesday. As soon as the judge dismissed the court, Trump stepped out, addressing the waiting journalists. He noted the situation was "deeply unfortunate," and again denied the charges brought against him.
The GOP's presumptive presidential front-runner stands accused of forging corporate documents to mask a hush payment to ex-porn star Stormy Daniels. Allegedly, the former president approved the transfer of $130,000 (around €120,000 today) to Daniels before the 2016 election to keep mum about a suspected relationship. He denies this. Michael Cohen, his former lawyer, testified as a top witness in the trial last week, confirming that he made the payment with Trump's blessing. The Trump Organization later reimbursed Cohen, and these repayments were fraudulently classified as legal costs, according to the indictment.
Trump is charged with altering business documents in 34 instances. The prosecution also views the hush payment as an illegal influence on the 2016 election. Trump argues that the trial is a political ruse meant to disrupt his current campaign against President Joe Biden. He faces trial in three other cases as well, but it's still a mystery when their hearings will start.
Read also:
- This will change in December
- Dikes withstand water masses so far - Scholz holds out the prospect of help
- Fireworks and parties ring in 2024 - turn of the year overshadowed by conflicts
- Attacks on ships in the Red Sea: shipping companies avoid important trade route
- The public prosecutor's office in New York accused Donald Trump, the former US President, of engaging in a hush money process related to Stormy Daniels in their closing arguments.
- Juan Merchan, the presiding judge, instructed Trump to remain in the Manhattan court until the jury's verdict is announced, following deliberations in the hush money case.
- The jury, tasked with considering the charges against Trump, includes Todd Blanche, his lawyer, who argued for a not-guilty verdict based on insufficient evidence during the trial.
- The hush money case against Trump involves allegations that he approved a payment of $130,000 to Daniels in 2016 to silence her about a suspected relationship, an act that is considered criminal under New York law.
- Michael Cohen, Trump's former lawyer, testified as a key witness, confirming that he made the payment with Trump's authorization, and the Trump Organization later reimbursed Cohen, with these repayments classified as legal costs in fraudulent documents, according to the prosecution's indictment.
Source:
