Donald Trump Becomes First Former U.S President Convicted of Crime: Falsifying Documents Verdict
Donald Trump made history on Thursday as the first U.S. president to receive a criminal conviction.
A New York jury found him guilty of falsifying documents to conceal a payment meant to silence a pornographic actress before the 2016 election.
Following two days of deliberation, the 12 jurors unanimously convicted Trump on all 34 felony charges he faced. Trump observed the proceedings with little emotion as each juror confirmed the verdict.
Sentencing is scheduled for July 11, shortly before the Republican Party’s formal nomination of Trump for the upcoming presidential election on November 5. Falsifying business records, the crime Trump was convicted of, carries a maximum prison term of four years, though actual sentences typically vary.
Despite the conviction, Trump remains free pending sentencing, which legally doesn’t obstruct his ability to campaign or assume office if re-elected.
The verdict injects uncertainty into the political landscape ahead of the November election, where Trump seeks to reclaim the presidency from Democratic incumbent Joe Biden.
Trump, 77, maintains his innocence and plans to appeal swiftly, according to his attorney. He denounced the trial as unfair and expressed confidence in the judgment of the people come election day.
The outcome of the trial could sway public opinion, particularly among independent and Republican voters, according to opinion polls.
Initially considered the least significant among Trump’s legal challenges, the trial gained prominence as the sole one concluding before the election due to delays in other proceedings.
The jury’s decision stemmed from a five-week trial featuring explicit testimony from Stormy Daniels, who alleged a sexual encounter with Trump in 2006. Trump denies the allegations.
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Testimony from Trump’s former lawyer, Michael Cohen, implicated Trump in approving a $130,000 payment to Daniels shortly before the 2016 election, which Trump’s legal team sought to discredit.
Observers noted the relatively brief deliberation time as indicative of the jury’s confidence in Cohen’s testimony.
The verdict is expected to influence Trump’s considerations for his vice-presidential running mate, possibly intensifying efforts to select a female candidate.
Biden’s campaign seized on the verdict as evidence that no one is above the law, urging voters to reject Trump at the ballot box.
The White House declined to comment, while Trump’s Republican allies denounced the verdict as a dark day in American history.
Despite efforts to challenge the verdict, legal experts suggest Trump faces slim odds in appeal, given the weight of evidence and legal precedent.
The prosecution argued that Trump’s actions constituted concealing an illegal campaign contribution, elevating the charge to a felony.
Although the trial centered on salacious details, prosecutors focused on financial records and evidence related to Cohen’s reimbursement.
Dubbed the “zombie case” due to its revival by the current district attorney, the trial resurrected long-standing controversies surrounding Trump’s conduct.
The verdict’s impact on Trump’s political future remains uncertain, with implications for ongoing legal battles and potential consequences if re-elected.
Donald Trump Becomes First Former U.S President Convicted of Crime: Falsifying Documents Verdict
