By Jerald Jimenez
May 29, 2024, 10:26 AM EDT
Jurors have begun deliberating in the hush money case against Donald Trump following lengthy closing arguments Tuesday, in an hour-long process.
Judge Juan Merchán began the procedure at 10:00 am after providing instructions to the jury on the applicable law in the case presented against the former president.
Jurors began deliberating whether prosecutors met their burden of proving whether Trump falsified 34 business records to influence the 2016 election, in which he defeated Hillary Clinton.
Trump pleaded not guilty last April to all 34 charges and has maintained his innocence of making a secret payment to porn actress Stormy Daniels of $130,000 through an intermediary, his former lawyer Michael Cohen.
Follow the news from the jury’s deliberation live:
10:45 a.m.
Trump cannot be tried for not testifying, says judge
Judge Merchán emphasized that Donald Trump has no obligation to prove his innocence, thus countering any preconceived assumptions the jury may have.
Merchán has also reminded the jury that they should not speculate about the sentence or punishment in the case, since that is their responsibility as a judge.
The statement came in response to arguments made by defense attorney Todd Blanche, who stated that a jury cannot sentence someone to prison based solely on the testimony of a witness.
During the prosecution, it was noted that the jury seemed to be focused on Merchán, with half of the jurors actively taking notes.
10:24 a.m.
Judge Merchán addresses the members of the jury and the role they will have
Judge Merchán reminded the jurors of the importance of their role in the judicial process. “The task of evaluating the evidence presented does not fall on me, but on you,” said Merchán, who stressed the responsibility that comes with being a juror.
The members of the jury, as Judge Merchán emphasized, are the true judges of the facts presented in the trial. He noted that they must determine the guilt or innocence of the accused.
Additionally, Judge Merchán urged jurors to remain free of prejudices and stereotypes during their deliberations. “You are being asked to make a momentous decision about another member of our society,” he said.
10:14 a.m.
Trump used his social network to criticize the gag order and the judicial process
Before entering the Manhattan courtroom, former President Trump again complained about the gag order against him and criticized the judicial proceedings in his hush money case.
While his caravan drove from Trump Tower to the court, the presidential candidate used his Truth Social platform, asserting that he had no rights against the silence order issued by Judge Juan Merchán.
He also cited in Truth Social the comments of experts and analysts in his favor and against the judicial process, some denouncing that it is “electoral interference.”
09:57am.
Prosecutors arrive at the courtroom
The prosecution team in the courtroom entered the courtroom. Prosecutors Josh Steinglass, Matthew Colangelo and Rebecca Mangold took their places at the counsel table, while seven other members of the district attorney’s team took their places in the gallery.
A few minutes later, former President Trump entered the courtroom, marking the beginning of the jurors’ deliberation.