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
Judge tells jury they can't convict based on Cohen alone
Judge Merchan told jurors that Michael Cohen is an "accomplice" to the alleged crime, so the jury cannot convict Trump on Cohen's testimony alone.
Even if they believe Michael Cohen, they need to rely on evidence corroborating his testimony, Merchan said.
Trump, at the defense table, appeared to perk up just a bit at this, looking up at Merchan as he delivered this information to the jury.
Judge addresses how to handle an untruthful witness
Judge Merchan told the jury that they have the ultimate authority in determining the truthfulness of a witness' testimony -- an instruction that might come in handy given the emphasis that defense lawyers placed on Michael Cohen's testimony, which they say includes lies.
"You will alone determine the truthfully and the accuracy of the testimony of each witness," Merchan said.
He added that the jury could either disregard the testimony of an untruthful witness entirely, or disregard part of it.
"There is no particular formula" to determine credibility, Merchan said.
"You may consider whether the witness has any interest in the outcome of the case," he said -- another matter that might weigh on jurors' minds.
"You may consider whether a witness did have, or did not have, a motive to lie," the judge said.
Trump's attorney had told the jury Cohen had an "axe to grind" against his former boss. Prosecutors partially conceded that Cohen had a motive, acknowledging that, to date, he is the only one who suffered any consequences from the matter at hand.
Trump, at the defense table, appeared to look over to the jury and offer a bit of a closed-mouth grin.
Merchan says Trump can't be judged for not testifying
Judge Merchan instructed the jury that they cannot hold Trump's not testifying against him.
"Defendant is not required to prove that he is not guilty," he said.
"The defendant is not required to prove or disprove anything," said the judge.
Judge says he will be responsible for any sentencing
Judge Merchan told the jury that they should not speculate about the sentence or punishment in the case.
"It will be my responsibility to impose an appropriate sentence," Merchan said.
The judge also had to advise the jury about this yesterday after defense lawyer Todd Blanche argued that the jury "cannot send somebody to prison" based on Michael Cohen's testimony.
The jury appears to be laser focused on Merchan during the charge. Half of the jurors appear to be taking notes.
Trump waves, pumps fist outside Trump Tower
When former President Donald Trump returned to Trump Tower after court, he greeted those standing outside the Midtown building, waving and pumping his fist.
In a written statement, Trump called Judge Juan Merchan "corrupt" and twice called him "conflicted."
"This was a rigged decision right from Day 1," Trump said.
"We didn't do a thing wrong. I'm a very innocent man," he said.
Trump will attend a fundraiser in New York Thursday night for his 2024 campaign. The former president will stay at Trump Tower Thursday night, then is scheduled to hold a news conference there at 11 a.m. ET Friday.