Inside the Nerve-Racking Jury Deliberations of Trump's Landmark Trial

The atmosphere quickly changes from boredom to high stress on the 15th floor of the old Manhattan courthouse, where a jury will continue deliberating Donald Trump's fate on Thursday morning.

The jury, consisting of seven men and five women, led by a foreperson from Ireland, was engrossed in their task when a buzzer suddenly interrupted the monotony of Wednesday afternoon. This caused a flurry of activity as lawyers, court staff, police, and reporters rushed to their seats. Trump then entered from his holding room, adjusting his lapels and wearing his signature extra-long tie in gold instead of his usual campaign trail red.

Former President Donald Trump gestures on the day the jury deliberates in the hush money trial filed against him in New York City on May 29.

Former President Donald Trump gestures on the day the jury deliberates in the hush money trial filed against him in New York City on May 29.

Jabin Botsford/Pool/Reuters

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The first day of jury deliberations in the Trump hush money trial did not bring a verdict that could label the 45th president as a convicted felon. Instead, the jury sent a note requesting a read back of testimony from key witnesses like former tabloid leader David Pecker and Trump's ex-lawyer Michael Cohen. This testimony focuses on Trump's intentions regarding suppressing scandalous stories about his personal life, including the payment to adult film star Stormy Daniels arranged by Cohen, as claimed by prosecutors. (Trump denies the affair with Daniels and pleads not guilty in the case.)

As Judge Juan Merchan and lawyers went through transcripts filled with complex and sometimes questionable testimony, the buzzer sounded once again, signaling a new request from the sequestered jury. In an overflow courtroom, reporters groaned upon learning that the jurors wanted to hear Merchan's instructions all over again, which he had spent a painstaking hour reading aloud earlier that morning.

Despite the speculation from media outlets stationed outside, only the 12 jurors deliberating a defendant's fate truly know what is happening behind closed doors. The jury's decision to revisit the testimony indicated that a verdict was not close at hand, showing their understanding of the gravity of their responsibility in a case crucial to Trump's reputation and the country's future.

Merchan’s instructions in the courtroom transcript were difficult for the average person to understand. In New York, the jury does not receive a printed copy, which led to confusion. CNN senior legal analyst Elie Honig commented that the instructions were overwhelming and hard to comprehend.

The main question that lies at the heart of the trial is:

The requests from the jury bring attention to a key issue in a prosecution that is attempting to hold Trump accountable for his actions during the 2016 presidential election. This case involves a unique interpretation of the law, making it a complex and intriguing legal battle. It feels like a distant memory, considering how much time has passed since the election.

Photo Illustration by Alberto Mier/CNN/Getty

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Trump's first criminal case is in court, where he is facing 34 charges of falsifying business records, as explained by Merchan. In New York, falsifying business records is considered a misdemeanor. However, for Trump to be convicted of a felony, the jury must also believe that he falsified the documents to conceal another crime. The prosecutors do not have to prove that a secondary crime occurred or specify exactly what it is. The Manhattan District Attorney's Office has suggested that Trump may have violated tax laws and intended to falsify other documents in order to potentially break election laws and use illegal methods to prevent someone else from winning an election.

If the jury sat through days of testimony and requires additional assistance, it is unlikely that voters with limited knowledge of the case will develop strong opinions on their own.

Trump remained vigilant throughout the proceedings.

As Merchan gave his instructions for the first time on Wednesday, Trump observed from the defense lawyers’ table. He leaned back in his chair, closed his eyes, and appeared to doze off. However, he quickly snapped out of it, showing disdain as Merchan read out the 34th charge. Trump even took a moment to jot down a note to his defense lawyer Todd Blanche, who sat beside him. When his pen failed, he borrowed Blanche’s pen to scribble a message before returning it promptly.

Trump spent the entire day in court, waiting for the decision of 12 New York City citizens. This was a stark reminder of the power dynamics at play in this trial and the numerous legal challenges he faced.

Ex-presidents live a life surrounded by respect and admiration even after their time in office has ended. Their presence is commanding, and they continue to draw attention wherever they go. Trump, in particular, has always been accustomed to luxury, residing in opulent settings such as his penthouse, beach club, golf resorts, and personal aircraft. However, as he awaits a verdict in a courthouse located on the grounds of a former dungeon, he can only sit and wait to find out if he will be able to participate in the upcoming election without any legal obstacles.

Despite the uncertainty of the situation, Trump's supporters are holding onto hope as the jury deliberates. They understand that the longer the process takes, the more optimistic they can become about the outcome. While some may view this optimism as wishful thinking, those close to the ex-president believe that a prolonged deliberation period could potentially result in a more favorable ruling for Trump. One advisor explained to CNN's Kristen Holmes that each passing minute without a verdict increases the chances of a hung jury, giving Trump a glimmer of hope.

The ex-president's main way of relieving stress is by speaking outside Merchan's courtroom. He stands behind crash barriers in front of a pool of cameras, criticizing the judge, the case, and falsely accusing President Joe Biden of plotting against him. Trump aims to discredit the case before the jury reaches a decision. However, his routine is becoming repetitive. A new addition on Wednesday was his claim that the jury instructions could harm his defense. He even stated, "Mother Theresa could not beat these charges. These charges are rigged."

Despite Trump's remarks, the jury is not privy to his comments, indicating that Trump is engaging in a political strategy outside of the courtroom.

The fate of the presumptive GOP nominee now rests with a jury that was carefully screened for any signs of political bias. The jurors include a man from West Harlem who works in sales, a young female teacher, and a speech therapist. Two of the jurors are attorneys, which could bring some organization to the deliberations, as noted by former Florida judge Jeff Swartz. According to Swartz, "If the two lawyers agree with each other, that is where the jury is likely to lean," as reported by CNN.

Before the jurors begin their deliberations, Merchan reminded them of the importance of the decision they are about to make regarding a member of their community.

Despite his fame, wealth and power, that is exactly who Trump is — just a lonely defendant awaiting a jury’s verdict.

Editor's P/S:

The ongoing hush money trial against former President Donald Trump has gripped the nation, with the jury's deliberations entering their third day. The atmosphere in the courtroom has been palpable, oscillating between monotony and high tension as the jury pores over complex testimony and legal instructions. Trump's fate hangs in the balance, and the outcome of this trial could have significant implications for his future and the country's political landscape.

The jury's requests for readbacks of key witness testimony and a reiteration of the judge's instructions suggest that they are taking their responsibility seriously and seeking to understand the intricacies of the case. The fact that they have not reached a verdict yet indicates that the deliberations are ongoing and the outcome is far from certain. Trump's supporters remain hopeful, seeing the prolonged deliberations as a potential sign of a favorable ruling, while his detractors anxiously await a verdict that could potentially bring him to justice.