Trump found Guilty — 34 counts Convicted on all charges

Donald Trump Found Guilty in Historic New York Hush Money Case
Trump found Guilty — 34 counts

In a landmark decision, a New York jury has found former President Donald Trump guilty on all 34 felony counts of falsifying business records, marking the first time in U.S. history that a former president has been convicted of a crime.

The verdict, delivered in a Manhattan courtroom where Trump has been on trial since April 15, was read aloud by the jury foreperson. Trump, who pleaded not guilty to all charges, listened with narrowed eyes as the word "guilty" was repeated for each count.

The charges stem from a hush money payment made by Trump's former lawyer Michael Cohen to adult film star Stormy Daniels in the final weeks of the 2016 presidential election. The prosecution argued that the payment was part of a larger scheme to influence the election, involving doctored corporate records and false bank forms to conceal the transactions.

The jury reached its verdict after 9.5 hours of deliberation. Judge Juan Merchan, who presided over the trial, thanked the jurors for their dedication, stating, "You gave this matter the attention it deserved, and I want to thank you for that."

Trump's attorney, Todd Blanche, made a motion for acquittal, which Judge Merchan denied. Blanche had argued that the payments to Cohen were legitimate and that Trump had committed no crime. In contrast, prosecutor Joshua Steinglass emphasized that "the law is the law and it applies to everyone equally," urging the jury to hold Trump accountable.

The trial featured dramatic testimony from key figures, including Cohen and Daniels. Cohen described his role in the payments and testified to Trump's direct involvement, while Daniels recounted her encounter with Trump in 2006. Other witnesses included former White House staffers, Trump Organization executives, and David Pecker, former publisher of the National Enquirer, who testified about efforts to suppress damaging stories about Trump during the 2016 campaign.

Despite initially proclaiming that he would "absolutely" testify, Trump did not take the stand. His defense relied heavily on attacking Cohen's credibility, highlighting his history of lying and past fraudulent activities. However, the prosecution bolstered their case with documentary evidence and corroborative witness testimony.

The case has drawn significant public and political attention, with Trump frequently claiming the charges were politically motivated. Nevertheless, the jury's decision represents a significant legal and historical milestone, occurring as Trump remains the presumptive Republican nominee for president.

The conviction is a major development in the long-running investigation by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg and his predecessor, Cyrus Vance. While Trump faces additional legal challenges in other jurisdictions, this verdict marks a pivotal moment in the intersection of U.S. law and politics.

Stay tuned for more updates as this story continues to unfold.