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
Trump says he's 'very innocent' after guilty verdicts
After he was found guilty on all counts in his historic criminal hush money case, former President Donald Trump angrily walked out of the courtroom and said, "The real verdict is going to be Nov. 5, by the people. And they know what happened here and everybody knows what happened here."
"This was a rigged, disgraceful trial," the former president told reporters. "I'm a very innocent man."
Trump blamed the Biden administration and Judge Juan Merchan.
"This was done by the Biden administration in order to wound or hurt an opponent, a political opponent, and I think it's a just a disgrace," he said, without evidence. "And we'll keep fighting, we'll fight 'til the end and we'll win."
"This was a rigged decision right from day one, with a conflicted judge who should have never been allowed to try this case -- never. And we will fight for our Constitution," he said.
Trump departs, sentencing set for July 11
Sentencing has been set for July 11.
The Republican National Convention begins July 15 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Former President Donald Trump was released without bail.
Trump marched out of the courtroom, flinging his arms as he walked.
Judge thanks jurors for 'stressful' task
Judge Merchan thanked the jurors for their service after the verdict.
"I can see how involved, engaged and invested you were in this process," he said.
"You were engaged in a very stressful and difficult task. … I want you to know I really admire your dedication, your hard work," Merchan said.
Trump sat motionless as the judge spoke to the jurors.
Merchan's last words to the jurors were, "You are excused with the gratitude of the court. Thank you."
Trump shakes head at verdict
Former President Donald Trump started slowly shaking his head at count 4, then stopped and sat motionless as the rest of the guilty verdicts were read.
As the last five counts were read, Trump was entirely stone-faced, with his lips pursed, looking down at the floor.
Trump at some points looked over at the jurors.
A group of demonstrators outside the courthouse cheered and shouted "lock him up" and "USA" after the verdict was read.
Jury hears reread of Pecker testimony about 'catch and kill'
The jury heard a portion of David Pecker's testimony, under cross-examination by defense attorneys, when he clarified that the idea of specifically catching and killing stories was not discussed at the 2015 Trump Tower meeting.
Q: At that meeting, the concept of "catch and kill" was not discussed; correct?
A: That's correct.
Q: And there was no discussion of a financial dimension to any agreement at that meeting; correct?
A: Yes. That's correct.
Pecker also testified that he did not consider that the Stormy Daniels catch and kill stemmed from the Trump Tower agreement in August 2015.
Q: And you did not consider the Stormy Daniels story to be a part of any Agreement that you had in August 2015; correct?
A: That's correct.