#Jurors hear #Pecker recall that after he said he wasn’t going to go thru w/the agreement w/ #MichaelCohen, who was to pay him for the rights to #KarenMcDougal’s story using an LLC, Cohen told him: “The boss is going to be very angry at you.”
Court reporters read the 3rd portion of Pecker’s testimony. This part pertains to the Aug 2015 #TrumpTowerMeeting in which Pecker, Michael Cohen & #Trump entered a #conspiracy to suppress negative news about Trump during the #2016election.
#Pecker’s #testimony here is key to prosecution's case. Jurors also asked to hear MichaelCohen’s testimony about the #TrumpTowerMeeting. They will hear that next.
One of the major arguments the defense made during closings also pertained to this meeting, & concerned the idea that the phrase #CatchAndKill was not used during it.
(It’s not used in the charges either. It’s just a characterization not a legal term.)
#criminal #law #Trump #TrumpTrial #conspiracy #ElectionInterference
The #jurors just again heard #Pecker’s #testimony that the reason he was purchasing negative stories on #Trump’s behalf was to benefit his presidential campaign.
Defense atty Emil #Bove cross-examined Pecker, & jurors are hearing part of that cross now. Bove elicited testimony that Pecker misremembered the exact date of the Aug 2015 meeting, & more generally that Pecker was testifying about events from a long time ago.
#criminal #law #TrumpTrial #CatchAndKill #conspiracy #ElectionInterference
Testimony readbacks can highlight moments that were seemingly rushed by during trial.
Here, we see that it was very important for the defense for #Bove to call #Pecker’s memory about this meeting into question.
Also the importance of objections becomes very apparent. Any objection that was sustained by the judge — & several were in this cross of Pecker — is not read aloud as the jury considers a potential verdict.
#Pecker testified on cross-examination that the phrase “#CatchAndKill” was not used at the Aug 2015 #TrumpTowerMeeting — & that there was no financial agreement made in concert w/the plan for him to supress negative stories about #Trump AT THAT MEETING.
The defense has argued that both of those data points should cast doubt on the prosecution’s theory.
The end of the cross-examination of #Pecker was less good for the defense. It was just read aloud again. “There was a discussion about that I was going to be the eyes and ears of the campaign,” Pecker testified. “And there was a discussion that I would be notifying Michael Cohen of any women that were in the process of or going to be selling stories.”
#criminal #law #Trump #TrumpTrial #CatchAndKill #conspiracy #ElectionInterference
Court reporters now read the 4th & final portion of #testimony that jurors asked to hear: #MichaelCohen’s recounting of that same #TrumpTowerMeeting.
Cohen’s testimony matches Pecker’s account closely. #Pecker testified that he had said he would be #Trump’s “eyes & ears” & watch out for negative stories. Cohen recalls him saying he would “keep an eye out for anything negative.”
#criminal #law #TrumpTrial #CatchAndKill #conspiracy #ElectionInterference
The #testimony readbacks are complete, & #jurors are excused to continue their #deliberations. They have asked to use both headphones & speakers to listen to #evidence that includes an audio portion.
#criminal #law #Trump #TrumpTrial #CatchAndKill #conspiracy #ElectionInterference
#Trump leaves for his waiting room (an empty courtroom w/security), w/his entourage.
Trump, in the hallway outside the courtroom, falsely blames the #GagOrder as he refuses to answer reporters, telling them “I’d like to answer all of your questions, they’re very easy to answer.”
The questions shouted at him — including whether he worried about potential prison time — have nothing to do w/issues covered by the order.
#criminal #law #TrumpTrial #Gaslighting #propaganda #StochasticTerrorism
Why #jurors in the NY #criminal #TrumpTrial can’t have a copy of the #JuryInstructions:
The prohibition against jurors being provided a copy of written #legal instructions comes from a 1987 decision by the #NewYork Court of Appeals in #PeopleVOwens.
The court found that “the distribution of written instructions to the jury is not expressly authorized by #law, & error in such submissions cannot be deemed harmless,” meaning: providing instructions would result in a #conviction being #overturned.
Marc F. Scholl, who served in the Manhattan DA’s office for nearly 4 decades, specializing in white-collar crimes & appeals, said: “Recently, there has been some slight loosening about whether it can be done w/ the defense’s consent, but it remains a minefield that judges do not want to risk.”
#criminal #law #Trump #TrumpTrial #Deliberations #JuryInstructions #CatchAndKill #conspiracy #ElectionInterference #HushMoney
Fmr DC Metropolitan PD Officer #MichaelFanone’s 78-year-old mother was the victim of a #swatting call hours after he spoke outside the criminal #TrumpTrial in #NewYork.
During the #insurrection on #Jan6, Fanone was nearly killed by #Trump supporters while protecting congresspeople & staff inside the Capitol building.
#StochasticTerrorism #MAGA #DomesticTerrorism #Terrorism #RightWingExtremism #extremism #PoliticalViolence #StateSponsoredTerrorism #TrumpIsATerrorist
#MichaelFanone suffered a heart attack after being tased multiple times. While unconscious, his gun was taken, he was dragged down the Capitol steps, kicked, beaten w/fists, pipes & other objects, sprayed w/chemicals, & when he regained consciousness he was threatened w/his own gun. In addition to the heart attack, Fanone suffered burns, concussion, traumatic brain injury, & subsequently diagnosed w/ PTSD
#Trump #StochasticTerrorism #MAGA #RightWingExtremism #PoliticalViolence #TrumpIsATerrorist
On #Trump going around saying NDAs are legal & common practice:
Saying this kind of arrangement is common practice implies it’s totes okay to pay off a playboy model & a porn star to stay quite about their affairs w/him while his wife is pregnant then home w/baby — yeah, all that’s totally legal & fine & everybody does it.
The Republican presidential candidate, 5 months prior to the election.
Besides the fact that the legality of NDAs aren’t at issue, what are the purported #Republican values?
There’s a #verdict
They request 30 minutes to fill out the forms.
Trump, who had been smiling a minute ago, is suddenly serious after the judge’s alert that there’s a verdict.
His arms are now crossed across his chest as he whispers with his lawyers.
#criminal #law #Trump #TrumpTrial #CatchAndKill #conspiracy #ElectionInterference #HushMoney #MobTactics #GagOrder #StochasticTerrorism #StormyDaniels #KarenMcDougal #NodFarter
The #verdict must be unanimous on the primary crime falsification of business records.
Once #jurors inform the court they have reached a verdict, Justice Juan #Merchan will summon the parties to the courtroom to hear it read by the foreperson.
Merchan must still affirm the verdict & enter a final judgment.
#criminal #law #Trump #TrumpTrial #CatchAndKill #conspiracy #ElectionInterference #HushMoney #MobTactics #GagOrder #StochasticTerrorism #StormyDaniels #KarenMcDougal #NodFarter
All 12 jurors must agree to find #Trump #guilty in order to #convict him of any one of the #felonies w/which he has been charged: 34 counts of falsifying business records. The judge in the case, Juan M. #Merchan, repeatedly made this clear, saying in his instructions to the #jury: “Each count you consider, whether guilty or not guilty, must be #unanimous.”
#criminal #law #TrumpTrial
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/05/30/nyregion/trump-trial-unanimous-verdict-misinformation.html?smid=url-share
Part of the courtroom video feed in the overflow room briefly cut out, with a big “NO SIGNAL” appearing on the screen, proving that not even the first criminal trial of a former U.S. president is immune to technical difficulties.
Trump Media & Technology shares fell after verdict was reached
Shares in Trump Media & Technology, the social media company partly owned by former President Donald Trump, fell 1.2% after the jury said it had reached a verdict on Thursday in his hush money trial.
Eric Trump is seated behind his father in the audience.
Alvin Bragg, the Manhattan district attorney, is now in the courtroom, seated in the audience behind the prosecutors who tried this case for his office.
Trump is still, eyes closed or close to it, sitting as he often has during this trial.
#Biden is currently in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware.
Today is the ninth anniversary of his son Beau Biden's death from brain cancer, & the president spent the somber occasion in church this morning with his family in Wilmington.
Justice #Merchan is on the bench. He reiterates that there is a #verdict.
The alternates enter first and sit in the front row of the gallery. They were not part of deliberations.
All of the jurors have individually confirmed their #guilty verdicts.
#Trump now looking at the jury as each juror is polled to confirm their decision of guilty on all counts.
Trump is unresponsive, sitting slack at the defense table.
He is largely expressionless, a glum look on his face, as “guilty” has just been heard 34 times.
Justice #Merchan tells the jurors they can discuss the case if they’d like, but do not have to. The choice is theirs, but they are no longer barred from discussing the case. He asks to meet w/them to discuss their work, though not the facts of the case.
The judge thanks the jury. He tells them he admires & appreciates their hard work, & praises them for their engagement & their investment. “You gave this matter the attention that it deserved and I thank you for that.”
#Trump stands up as the jurors exit, w/a frown on his face. He does not look at the jury as they leave, his eyes downcast.
Todd Blanche, Trump's lawyer, is arguing, w/ the jurors gone, that the verdict is impromper and should be tossed because it relied on Michael Cohen’s testimony.
The judge immediately denies the motion.
Sentencing is set for July 11 at 10 a.m.
Trump is now a #felon.
The judge excused the parties, but not before asking about #Trump’s #bail status. He then releases him on his own recognizance.
Trump leaves the courtroom, & spews a bunch of nonsense to the media.
Trump spoke for less than three minutes in total. He did not answer a shouted question by a reporter who asked why Americans should vote for a #convicted #felon.
#Trump will obviously #appeal.
Before that is heard, Trump will be dealing w/ the #criminal #justice system.
Trump’s #sentencing is July 11.
He could be sentenced prison or probation.
A pre-sentencing report makes recommendations based on the defendant’s criminal record — Trump had none before this case — as well as his personal history & the crime itself.
My favorite bit → At the presentence interview, a #psychologist or #SocialWorker working for the #probation dept may also talk to #Trump, during which time the defendant can “try to make a good impression & explain why he or she deserves a lighter punishment,” acc/to the New York State Unified Court System.
The pre-sentencing report can also include submissions from the defense, & may describe whether “the defendant is in a counseling program or has a steady job”
In #Trump’s case, he is applying for a job & his business the #TrumpOrganization has a court assigned #legal & #financial monitor because he was found #liable for #fraud. 🤣
Holy hell, #TuckerCarlson just said that #Trump would still win the election “if he’s not killed first,” & said that “anyone who defends this verdict is a danger to you and your family.”