The jury in former President Donald Trump's hush money trial was dismissed after deliberating for four hours.
They will resume deliberations the following day, seeking to determine whether Trump violated federal election laws and falsified business records on 34 counts.
The jury in former President Donald Trump’s hush money trial was dismissed for the day on Wednesday afternoon. Just The News reported that deliberations are set to continue Thursday morning. The jury asked to hear Judge Juan Merchan's instructions again, along with testimony from David Pecker and Michael Cohen.
Attorneys were instructed to stay behind to discuss the transcript that will be read to the jury. The jury must reach a unanimous verdict on whether Trump violated federal election law and falsified business records on 34 counts. If the jury cannot reach a unanimous decision, the case may result in a mistrial due to a hung jury.
Trump has denied all accusations of wrongdoing. Prosecutors have accused Trump of engaging in a conspiracy and cover-up to hide stories that could have negatively impacted his 2016 election campaign. The defense argues that Trump committed no crimes and criticized the credibility of the prosecution’s key witness, Michael Cohen.
Defense lawyers, according to the Associated Press, described Michael Cohen as "the greatest liar of all time." They claimed that prosecutors have failed to meet the "burden of proof" as required by law. Deliberations are scheduled to resume at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday.
The jury deliberated for four hours on Wednesday. Defense lawyers emphasized that Trump has denied all accusations of wrongdoing. Prosecutors argue that Trump was involved in a conspiracy to cover up stories that could have harmed his 2016 election campaign.
David Pecker, former publisher of the National Enquirer, and Michael Cohen, Trump’s former attorney, provided key testimonies. The jury requested to hear these testimonies again for clarification. This request indicates the complexity and importance of the testimonies in reaching a verdict.
A unanimous verdict is crucial in this case. If the jury cannot agree, it could lead to a mistrial. Such an outcome would be a significant development in this high-profile case.
Trump has consistently denied any wrongdoing. His defense team argues that the prosecution's case is weak and relies on unreliable witnesses. The outcome of this trial could have far-reaching implications for Trump and his political future.
Prosecutors remain confident in their case. They believe the evidence presented is sufficient to convict Trump on all counts. The defense continues to challenge the credibility of key witnesses and the strength of the prosecution's evidence.
The jury’s request to review testimonies and instructions highlights the deliberation process's complexity. The outcome of this trial remains uncertain. Both sides are preparing to continue the deliberations on Thursday.
This trial is significant, with potential consequences for Trump's political career. A unanimous verdict is required for a conviction, and the jury's decision could shape the future of American politics.
