In a historic verdict, a New York jury has delivered a guilty verdict on all 34 felony counts of falsifying business records against Donald Trump. This marks the first instance in American history where a former U.S. President has been convicted of a crime, according to NBC News.
In a Manhattan courtroom, the verdict was announced after a lengthy trial that began on April 15.
A plea of not guilty has been entered by the individual in question for all 34 charges of falsifying business records. These charges are connected to a hush money payment made by his former lawyer, Michael Cohen, to adult film star Stormy Daniels during the last stages of the 2016 presidential election.
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As reported by NBC News, President Trump’s demeanour shifted as the jury foreperson announced the verdict, with his gaze focused and his eyes narrowed. After 9.5 hours of deliberations that started on Wednesday, the jury has reached its verdict.
In a historic turn of events, former President Trump has become the first ever ex-president to be convicted of criminal charges in the history of the United States. The sentencing for these charges is set to take place in July, marking a significant moment in American politics.
In a significant turn of events, Donald Trump, who was widely expected to secure the Republican nomination for president, faced a momentous conviction. The judge expressed gratitude to the jurors for their dedicated service throughout the lengthy trial.
Judge Juan Merchan expressed gratitude to them for their diligent attention to the matter, as reported by NBC News.
In a surprising turn of events, Todd Blanche, the attorney representing former President Trump, made a bold move by filing a motion for acquittal. However, his hopes were quickly dashed when the judge swiftly denied the motion, leaving the outcome of the trial uncertain.
In his closing arguments earlier this week, Prosecutor Joshua Steinglass emphasised that the law is impartial and applies to all individuals without exception. There is no specific criteria set for this particular defendant. “The jury has been given the power to ensure the defendant’s accountability,” Steinglass emphasised.