Trump hush money trial: Trump found guilty on all counts in historic case
Trump was found guilty on all 34 felony counts in his hush money trial.
Former President Donald Trump has been found guilty on all 34 felony counts related to a 2016 hush money payment to adult film actress Stormy Daniels. It marks the first time in history that a former U.S. president has been convicted on criminal charges.
Trump last April pleaded not guilty to a 34-count indictment charging him with falsifying business records in connection with a hush money payment his then-attorney Michael Cohen made to Daniels in order to boost his electoral prospects in the 2016 presidential election.
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Trump guilty on all 34 counts
Alternate jurors will stay through deliberations
As the 12 main jurors left the courtroom, most appeared to look away from Trump as they passed his counsel table.
The six alternate jurors remained in the courtroom after the 12 main jurors left to begin deliberations.
"We are not going to excuse you just yet," Judge Merchan told the alternates,
He asked them to stick around through the deliberations. though they won't participate in the deliberations themselves.
Jury begins deliberating in historic case
"That concludes my instructions on the law. Counsel please approach," Judge Merchan said when he was done instructing the jury.
He held a sidebar with the attorneys, after which the jurors filed out of the courtroom to begin deliberations.
Merchan tells jurors be firm but considerate of other jurors
Judge Merchan emphasized that jurors each need to come to an individual decision about the verdict after hearing and understanding the view of the other jurors.
"Each of you must decide the case for yourself, but only after a fair and impartial consideration of the evidence with the other jurors," Merchan said.
"You should discuss the evidence and consult with each other, listen to each other, give the others' views careful consideration," he said. "You should not surrender an honest view of the evidence simply because you want the trial to end, or because you're outvoted."
"Your verdict on each count you consider must ... be unanimous -- that is, each and every juror must agree to it," Merchan said.
Merchan said that the jury foreperson will read the verdict for each of the charged counts. Merchan will then poll the entire jury to confirm their verdict.
Judge reviews law on falsifying business records
Judge Merchan read the jury the New York state law related to falsifying business records.
"Under our law, a person is guilty of falsifying business records in the first degree when, with intent to defraud that includes an intent to commit another crime or to aid or conceal the commission thereof," Merchan read.
Few of the jurors appeared to be taking the notes at that point.
Court recessed until deliberations begin tomorrow
With closing arguments concluded, Judge Merchan dismissed the jury and instructed them to return tomorrow for deliberations.
He said the jury will deliberate between 10 a.m. ET and 4:30 p.m. ET tomorrow.
The judge ended by advising the parties to instruct their guests that they will be locked in the courtroom once the jury charge starts.
"No one will be allowed in or out of the courtroom," Merchan said.
Trump had a stomp in his step as he exited the courtroom, fiercely gripping his blazer and yanking down loud enough that it made a snapping noise.
He did not address the media, but glared at a reporter and muttered something under his breath as he exited.