The jury unanimously finds Donald Trump guilty on all counts. The verdict in the hush money trial will be announced on July 11.
Donald Trump after his conviction in a New York court Photo: Justin Lane/Pool Photo via AP
NEW YORK dpa/rtr/ap/taz | In the trial surrounding the concealment of hush money payments to a porn actress, the jury found former US President Donald Trump guilty on all 34 counts. The jury announced this on Thursday in New York. It is the first time in American history that a former president has been convicted of a crime. Trump, who appeared calm in court that afternoon, initially accepted the verdict stone-faced.
Moments later, however, he went on his usual rampage, describing his conviction as a “disgrace” and the trial itself as political. The judge is corrupt and the “real verdict” will come in the US presidential elections in November, Trump said on Thursday as he left the courthouse in New York.
Judge Juan Merchan previously set the sentencing date for July 11. The 77-year-old Trump then risks a fine or a maximum of four years in prison. However, the latter would be unusual. A prison sentence could also be suspended. The Republican can appeal – and even if he is convicted, he can run in the presidential elections in November.
Hush money hidden
The prosecutor accused Trumphe said he boosted his chances of winning the 2016 presidential election by paying $130,000 in hush money to porn actress Stormy Daniels want to improve and then illegally record the cash flow. The seven men and five women on the jury had listened to the statements of more than twenty witnesses since mid-April. The key witness was Michael Cohen, the ex-confidant of the former president. Jury deliberations have been underway since Wednesday.
Although the payment itself – which is not disputed by any party – was not illegal, the now 77-year-old is said to have manipulated documents to conceal the facts when repaying the amount to his then personal lawyer, Michael Cohen. true reason for the transaction. As a result, he was guilty of illegal campaign financing in 34 cases. Trump’s lawyers had argued that these were just ordinary legal fees.
Judgment with influence on the election campaign
The ruling will likely also have an impact on the current election campaign in the United States – but the question is: to what extent and in whose favor? Trump is trying to turn the case to personal advantage and mobilize his supporters by portraying himself as a victim of a politically motivated justice system. However, many voters are likely to view the first criminal conviction of a former U.S. president as an embarrassment.
Incumbent Joe Biden, on the other hand, who wants to be re-elected in November, does not appear to have noticeably benefited from the legal proceedings against his challenger. The latest research shows that for many Americans the verdict will have little influence on their voting decision on November 5. However, the sentence can have an impact, especially in the unlikely event of a prison sentence.
The trial took place in downtown Manhattan under unprecedented media attention and strict security measures. American media covered the event as a major sporting event, quoting every minute from the courtroom, where no TV recordings were allowed. Trump’s every move was also commented on, as he was always present at the rallies and only the color of his tie varied from day to day.