Judgment issued in payoff case - Jury determines Donald Trump is guilty across all 34 charges.
In the notable legal matter concerning hush money paid to Donald Trump, the previous American president was found guilty in all 34 accusations. The judge, Juan Merchan, commended the jurors, saying, "You have given this case the attention it deserves." Trump is now the first former US President to have a conviction in historical accounts. Outside the courtroom, he displayed a disappointed face and posited, "You'll see what I have to say about this verdict. That's on November 5th." He categorized the verdict as a "disgrace" and proclaimed his innocence. He also declared his readiness to keep fighting until the end, implying, "I am a very innocent man."
Aftermath: An Expected Appeal from Trump
Accepting the guilty verdict, Trump demonstrated little enthusiasm or emotion. The sentencing date is July 11th. To date, Trump could potentially spend up to four years in prison, which could be deferred, or be subjected to a fine.
There is speculation that he will initiate an appeal. Trump was charged with falsifying business records in connection with payments of $130,000 to adult film actress Stormy Daniels in 2016 to suppress news of a former illicit affair in 2006. The money was given by his ex-personal lawyer, Michael Cohen. Trump admitted paying Cohen back. Nonetheless, during the court proceedings, Trump denied these allegations. He maintains he never had an affair with Daniels.
Despite the record-setting conviction, the nature of the crime was not explicitly illegal. The offense stems from the alleged deception while repaying the money to Michael Cohen to cover up the true purpose of the transaction. Trump's legal team argued it was merely legal fees.
The trial, attended by a jury of seven men and five women, commenced in mid-April. The jury's deliberations have continued since Wednesday.
Impact on the US Election Campaign
The verdict could have substantial consequences for the ongoing election campaign in the United States, but to what extent remains unclear. Trump intensified his efforts to transform the case into a personal advantage, arguing that he's a victim of a politically orchestrated injustice. This may elicit a sense of outrage from some voters, while others may view him as a scoundrel.
Democrat Joe Biden, who is seeking re-election in November, has experienced no tangible improvement in public support as a result. The outcome may not sway voter decisions for the 5th of November. However, the full weight of punishment could influence the vote, specifically if it involves incarceration.
The trial has captivated the nation and has drawn widespread interest from the media. Its aftermath is now under a security-driven spotlight in Downtown Manhattan. The courtroom proceedings were the subject of an enormous amount of media attention, where every intricate detail was subsequently reported. In one image, Trump's apparel choice was scrutinized and featured in minute-by-minute coverage. He often exhibited a displeased expression during the proceedings. Some aspects of the proceedings piqued his interest, while he ignored others, prompting media speculation that Trump had dozed off. He employed the trial to display his frustration about the process, unapologetically raging against what he perceived as a political trial. Incidentally, the trial converged into a referendum on his presidency. Political dignitaries, such as Speaker of the House of Representatives Mike Johnson, as well as candidates for the Vice Presidency, such as Vivek Ramaswamy and Senator J.D. Vance, trekked to New York to support him. Additionally, Donald Jr., Eric, and Tiffany were present. The absence of Ivanka, paired with Melania's refusal to assertively demonstrate her support, was noteworthy.
The legal team framed Trump's conundrum as an illicit "conspiracy" related to doctoring invoices and checks to covertly influence the 2016 United States presidential election through illegal campaign contributions. Selected campaign officials, including Michael Cohen, and David Pecker, editor of a tabloid, were conscripted as investigators into allegedly damaging gossip about Trump's alleged extramarital affairs. Trump's intention to hide these scandals was to boost his electoral prospects.
Blanche, the defense attorney, insisted on Trump's innocence and vouched for the narrative put forward by the prosecution. They also questioned the integrity of their main witness, Cohen. The prosecution highlighted Cohen's weakness: his long-standing penchant for deception. Blanche labeled him as the "greatest liar of all time" during his closing remarks. In response, the trial's prosecutors endeavored to support Cohen's testimony with records, checks, phone records, and additional testimonies.
By the conclusion of the events, Judge Merchan created a commotion. His temper flared up when he perceived his authority threatened by a Trump-aligned witness offering exoneration. He required the room to be cleared momentarily and warned of removing the man from the witness stand. The roughly six-week-long process featured another notable moment: porn actress Daniels providing her account, describing in explicit detail the alleged encounter with Trump. This didn't reflect well on the ex-president and potentially enhanced the chance for an appeal, according to experts.
Read also:
- Following his conviction in the payoff case, Trump's legal team is expected to launch an appeal against the verdict, with the focus being on falsified business records relating to the $130,000 payment to porn actress Stormy Daniels in 2016.
- The guilty verdict against Donald Trump in the hush money case could potentially impact the US election campaign, with some voters viewing him as a victim of political injustice and others perceiving him as a scoundrel.
- The women's rights group, NARAL Pro-Choice America, called for the investigation of Trump and his associates, urging the public prosecutor's office in Manhattan to probe any potential violations of laws aimed at preventing foreign interference in US elections.
- The trial surrounding Donald Trump's payoff to former adult film actress Stormy Daniels in 2016 saw notable testimony from men, including Trump himself, ex-personnel lawyer Michael Cohen, and Daniels herself, with the latter providing explicit details of their alleged affair.
