Jurors must reexamine the testimony of two witnesses and rehear the judge’s instructions on how to interpret the law.
New York jurors are set to begin a second day of deliberations in Donald Trump’s secret trial, as the United States awaits a verdict against the former president and presumptive 2024 Republican nominee that could shake up the state election. november.
THE The jury of 12 people is in the spotlight after nearly two dozen witnesses testified in a New York City courtroom during a trial lasting more than six weeks.
The jurors – whose identities are kept secret for their own protection amid national political tensions – work behind closed doors.
The only clues to the direction they are taking come from requests for clarification. They were scheduled to begin Thursday by reexamining testimony from two witnesses and hearing again the judge’s instructions on how to interpret the law.
Trump is accused of falsifying business documents linked to a hush money payment made to adult film star Stormy Daniels in the run-up to the 2016 presidential election, which Trump won.
Daniels has alleged that she had a sexual relationship with Trump, which he denies. Prosecutors said the payment was illegal and intended to protect the ex-president from negative media coverage that could have derailed his White House bid.
Trump pleaded not guilty and said he was the victim of a politically motivated “witch hunt.”
Jurors on Thursday appeared to be closely scrutinizing the testimony of former Trump lawyer and fixer Michael Cohen, the prosecution’s star witness.
Cohen paid the $130,000 in hush money that ensured he Daniels would not tell voters about her alleged sexual relationship with Trump in 2006.
Cohen testified that he and Trump discussed a plan to repay him in monthly payments disguised as legal fees — the alleged conduct that prompted the criminal charges.
Jurors asked Judge Juan Merchan for a transcript of portions of Cohen’s testimony.
They also asked Merchan for testimony from David Pecker, the former editor of the National Enquirer tabloid, who told jurors he worked with Trump to suppress articles that could have harmed the president’s campaign. businessman turned politician.
Trump’s defense team has argued that the former president did nothing illegal, and his lawyers have sought to portray prosecution witnesses — particularly Cohen — as liars who cannot be trusted to the testimonies.
The 12 jurors must agree on a verdict for the judge to accept it. If they fail to do so, the trial will be at an impasse and Merchan will declare a mistrial.
Once the jurors inform the court that they have reached their verdict, Merchan will call the parties into the courtroom. He has yet to confirm the verdict and render a final judgment. Either party can also ask him to overrule the jury.
If Trump is found guilty, it will likely be weeks or months before he is finally convicted. Although the charges carry a maximum of four years in prison, experts generally agree that he is more likely to be sentenced to a fine, probation or community service.
