Insights into the Initial Jury Deliberations in the Trump Hush Money Trial
During the first day of deliberations in Donald Trump's New York hush money trial, the jury concluded their session without a verdict after a lengthy meeting exceeding four-and-a-half hours on Wednesday.
The jury in Donald Trump’s New York hush money trial spent over four-and-a-half hours deliberating on their first day but did not reach a verdict.
They will reconvene on Thursday at 9:30 a.m. ET to continue their deliberations. Additionally, they will receive further instructions from Judge Juan Merchan.
Judge Merchan is seen in this court sketch from Wednesday.
Judge Merchan is seen in this court sketch from Wednesday.
Jane Rosenberg
Related article
The jury in the Trump hush money trial requested a readback of four different parts of witness testimony on Wednesday afternoon. This included testimony from David Pecker, the former National Enquirer chief, and Michael Cohen, Trump's former fixer. Additionally, the jurors asked to hear Judge Juan Merchan's instructions on the law again, which he had given them earlier that Wednesday morning.
The jurors have asked for four specific pieces of testimony. These include Pecker's account of his phone call with Trump in June 2016, his explanation of why he did not complete Trump's payment to AMI for Karen McDougal's life rights, his recollection of the August 2015 Trump Tower meeting, and Cohen's testimony regarding the same meeting.
The testimony being sought by the jurors focuses on Trump's direct interactions with Pecker. In particular, the testimony from Cohen and Pecker concerning the 2015 meeting revolves around Pecker's agreement to serve as the "eyes and ears" of the campaign. Additionally, Pecker mentioned in his conversation with Trump in June 2016 that they discussed the McDougal story and whether Trump should purchase it.
The jury will have the final say on whether a former president will be convicted of felony crimes, marking a historic moment in American history. This decision comes as Trump is running against President Joe Biden in the upcoming November election.
The judge will provide instructions to the jury on how to proceed with the case.
On Wednesday morning, the focus was on the law as Merchan spent an hour instructing the jury. He detailed the 34 felony counts against Trump, which involved falsifying business records related to hush money payments to Stormy Daniels before the 2016 election. Merchan explained the elements of the crime that jurors must consider to reach a guilty verdict, emphasizing the need for prosecutors to prove their case beyond a reasonable doubt.
The judge reminded jurors of their duty to set aside any biases when determining the defendant's fate.
Jurors have committed to being fair and impartial in their decision-making process. This means not allowing any biases or prejudices to sway their verdict in favor of or against anyone involved in the trial.
Merchan has requested the jury to confirm on Thursday morning if they wanted to hear the whole hour-long presentation again, or if there were specific parts they needed to listen to once more.
The jury did not receive a written copy of Merchan's charging instructions, which CNN senior legal analyst Elie Honig pointed out as a concern. While in most federal courts the actual document is sent with the jury during deliberations, New York state courts do not allow this practice.
Honig explained that the way New York State courts handle things is causing frustration. He mentioned that they are stubborn, resistant to change, and creating challenges for the jury.
During the ongoing deliberations, Trump and his legal team are staying at the courthouse in downtown Manhattan. They are prepared in case the jury sends any more notes, such as questions or requests like the one on Wednesday afternoon to review testimony.
The jurors were provided with a laptop containing all the evidence for the trial to refer to during their deliberations. The judge clarified that the laptop does not have internet access.
Meanwhile, the six alternate jurors have not been dismissed yet. They have been instructed to return in case one of them needs to substitute for any of the 12 jurors who may be unable to continue serving.
Editor's P/S:
The ongoing trial of former President Donald Trump in New York, centered around hush money payments, has reached a critical juncture. The jury, after four-and-a-half hours of deliberations, has requested readbacks of specific witness testimonies, indicating the intricate nature of the case. The jury's request focuses on Trump's direct interactions with former National Enquirer chief David Pecker, highlighting the significance of these communications in determining Trump's culpability.
The trial marks a historic moment, as it involves potential felony convictions for a former president. Judge Juan Merchan's comprehensive instructions to the jury on the law, emphasizing the need for a verdict beyond a reasonable doubt, underscore the gravity of the proceedings. The jury's commitment to impartiality and fairness suggests a thorough and considered decision-making process. The presence of alternate jurors further ensures the continuity of the trial in the event of any unexpected circumstances.
