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
Prosecutor calls Pecker's testimony 'devastating'
Prosecutor Josh Steinglass took aim at the defense assertion that Stormy Daniels was out to extort Donald Trump.
"Maybe you think it's a sordid practice," he said. "In the end it doesn't really matter because you don't get to commit election fraud or falsify business records because you believe you have been victimized."
Steinglass told the jurors that many of the witnesses they heard from are Trump friends or fans.
"Pecker has no reason to lie here," he said, speaking of former National Enquirer publisher David Pecker. "He still considers Donald Trump a friend and mentor, and still his testimony is utterly devastating."
"These people like the defendant," Steinglass said. "If anything, they have incentive to skew the testimony" in a way that will help him.
Prosecutor says they've presented 'powerful evidence'
Assistant district attorney Josh Steinglass began his closing argument by quoting the People's opening.
"This case, at its core, is about a conspiracy and a coverup, a conspiracy to corrupt the 2016 election and a coverup to hide that conspiracy," Steinglass said.
"We asked you to remember to tune out the noise and to ignore the sideshows. And if you've done that ... you will see the People have presented powerful evidence of the defendants guilt," he said.
Steinglass pushed back on the defense's suggestion that prosecutors manipulated evidence.
"There is nothing sinister here -- no manipulation," Steinglass said.
Steinglass argued that it was defense lawyers manipulated who the evidence in a phone summary chart showing calls between Michael Cohen and his onetime legal adviser Bob Costello, saying that defense lawyers were provided Cohen's full phone extraction if they believed evidence was manipulated.
Judge consults with prosecutors on curative instruction
Following the lunch break, the parties returned to the courtroom ahead of their closing argument.
Judge Merchan began the afternoon session by asking prosecutors about the curative instruction following defense attorney Todd Blanche's mention of prison at the end of his closing argument.
Prosecutor Susan Hoffinger told Merchan that Blanche's mention of prison time was "highly improper" and a direct violation of a pretrial order about arguments related to potential punishments.
"Mr. Blanche was certainly on notice that this was an improper argument," Hoffinger said.
Blanche did not opposed to the curative instruction about his earlier arguments. Merchan will deliver it to the jury as drafted by prosecutors.
Before break, judge slams defense for 'prison' remark
Before Judge Merchan recessed court for the lunch break, prosecutors took issue with defense attorney Todd Blanche saying "You cannot send someone to prison based upon the words of Michael Cohen."
Prosecutors called Blanche's reference to prison "ridiculous" and an effort to gain sympathy for their client.
"I think that saying that was outrageous, Mr. Blanche," Merchan told Blanche. "It is simply not allowed, period."
The judge said he would give the jury curative instructions.
"Its hard for me to imagine how that was accidental in any way," Merchan said.
The parties then left the courtroom for the break. Blanche left the courtroom smiling as another member of the legal team gave him a big pat on the back.
Proceedings are underway
Judge Juan Merchan took his seat on the bench and began the day's proceedings.
After introductions from the lawyers, Merchan said his usual, "Good morning, Mr. Trump."
Before Merchan entered the courtroom, one of the court officers left a document on the bench and handed copies to both parties.