Donald Trump Guilty: Manhattan Jury Delivers Unanimous Verdict
New York, May 2024 — Businessman. Reality-TV star. President. Convicted felon. The improbable life story of Donald Trump has taken an ignominious turn with a New York court finding him guilty of falsifying business records. The charges stem from concealing payments to a porn star during the 2016 election to keep her from speaking publicly about their past affair.
In a dramatic courtroom scene on Thursday, a Manhattan jury delivered a unanimous verdict, finding Trump guilty on all 34 counts. Each “guilty” pronounced by the jury foreman reverberated through the courtroom, marking a significant moment in American political history.
At approximately 5:03 p.m. local time, the jurors re-entered the courtroom. Without making eye contact with Trump, they swiftly delivered their verdicts. By 5:07 p.m., the decision was made: Trump was convicted. Despite the gravity of the situation, Trump remained impassive, adhering to the judge’s warning against any visible reaction.
Minutes later, Trump exchanged a prolonged handshake with his son, Eric Trump, before leaving the courtroom to face an uncertain future. The former president is scheduled to return for sentencing on July 11, just days before the Republican convention where he is expected to be nominated for a second presidential run.
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Despite his conviction, Trump remains eligible to run for president. He responded to the verdict with defiance, stating,
“The real verdict is going to be November 5th by the people [on election day]. I’m a very innocent man, and it’s OK, I’m fighting for our country.”
The verdict introduces a new layer of unpredictability to an already volatile political landscape. Trump will meet with a probation officer in the coming days, who will prepare a sentencing report. Legal experts, including veteran New York City criminal lawyer Mark Cohen, suggest that Trump should admit guilt or remain silent during this meeting to avoid further complications with the judge, Juan Merchan.
Judge Merchan, who has been a frequent target of Trump’s ire, will decide the former president’s sentence on July 11. The potential penalties range from a verbal warning to probation or even prison time, with each count carrying a possible sentence of up to four years. However, as a first-time offender convicted of a non-violent felony, most legal observers expect Trump to receive a lesser penalty.
Tim Bakken, a former New York prosecutor and current law professor at West Point, expressed doubt that Trump would face incarceration. “Almost no one familiar with the New York criminal legal system expects a sentence of incarceration,” Bakken noted. However, Trump’s conduct during the trial, including his frequent attacks on the judge and witnesses, could influence Merchan’s decision.
Trump’s legal team plans to appeal the verdict, alleging judicial bias and procedural errors. These appeals could take years to resolve, leaving Trump’s political and legal future hanging in the balance. The upcoming July 11 sentencing will be a pivotal moment, potentially affecting Trump’s campaign and the broader political environment.
The unprecedented situation of a presidential candidate campaigning from jail remains a possibility, adding another layer of complexity to the 2024 election. How Trump’s supporters and the broader electorate will react to these developments is yet to be seen.
As the nation watches, one thing is clear: Donald Trump’s journey through the American political and legal system is far from over.
