NEW YORK. Jurors in the high-profile trial of former President Donald Trump concluded their first day of deliberations on Wednesday without arriving at a verdict. This trial marks the first time a U.S. president has faced criminal charges.
The jury, consisting of 12 primary members and six alternates, will reconvene at the New York courthouse on Thursday at 9:30 AM ET (1330 GMT) to continue evaluating the evidence and testimonies presented over the five-week trial.
Trump, 77, faces charges of falsifying business records to conceal a $130,000 payment to adult film actress Stormy Daniels just before the 2016 presidential election. The payment was allegedly made to prevent Daniels from disclosing an affair she claims to have had with Trump. Trump has pleaded not guilty and denies any involvement with Daniels. Leaving the courtroom, Trump ignored reporters’ questions and displayed a defiant gesture by pumping his fist in the air.
Later in the day, the jurors requested transcripts of testimonies from two key witnesses: Michael Cohen, Trump’s former lawyer and fixer, and David Pecker, former publisher of the National Enquirer. Cohen testified that Trump was aware of and involved in the payment to Daniels, while Pecker detailed efforts to suppress stories that could harm Trump’s presidential campaign. Additionally, jurors asked Justice Juan Merchan to repeat the detailed instructions he had given them earlier to guide their deliberations.
The jury must reach a unanimous decision for a verdict. If they fail to do so, a mistrial will be declared. Trump has portrayed the trial as a politically motivated attempt to undermine his 2024 presidential bid against incumbent President Joe Biden.
“Mother Teresa could not beat these charges,” Trump remarked to reporters outside the courtroom, calling the proceedings “rigged.”
Judge Merchan advised jurors to scrutinize Cohen’s testimony carefully, given his role in the payments at the center of the case. Cohen admitted to paying Daniels out of his own funds to prevent her story from affecting the election, claiming Trump approved the payment and later reimbursed him through monthly installments disguised as legal fees.
Trump’s defense team has cast doubt on Cohen’s credibility, labeling him “the greatest liar of all time.” Todd Blanche, Trump’s lawyer, emphasized Cohen’s history of dishonesty to the jury. However, prosecutors argue that voice messages, emails, and other evidence corroborate Cohen’s testimony.
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s office must prove Trump’s guilt “beyond a reasonable doubt.” They contend that the payment to Daniels may have contributed to Trump’s victory over Hillary Clinton by keeping damaging information out of the public eye.
A conviction would not bar Trump from seeking or assuming office if he wins the 2024 election. Polls show a tight race between Trump and Biden, though a guilty verdict could affect Trump’s support among independent and some Republican voters. If convicted, Trump could face up to four years in prison but might instead receive a fine or probation.
If acquitted, Trump would be relieved of a significant legal hurdle, allowing him to focus on his campaign without the burden of court appearances. Regardless of the verdict, Trump is likely to appeal any conviction. He also faces three other criminal prosecutions, none of which are expected to reach trial before the November election.
Biden campaign officials believe the trial’s outcome will not significantly alter the election’s dynamics.
Gary P Hernal started college at UP Diliman and received his BA in Economics from San Sebastian College, Manila, and Masters in Information Systems Management from Keller Graduate School of Management of DeVry University in Oak Brook, IL. He has 25 years of copy editing and management experience at Thomson West, a subsidiary of Thomson Reuters.
