Donald Trump’s criminal trial reached its final stage as the jury had to issue a historic verdict affecting the 2024 US presidential campaign, according to Politico.
The secret jury deliberations mark the most tense and troubling moment of the criminal trial. The court is set to determine whether Trump falsified business records to cover up a hush-money scheme to influence the 2016 election.
Trump’s fate hinges on 12 people his lawyers and prosecutors picked more than a month ago. After receiving final instructions from a judge on Wednesday morning, these 12 Manhattan residents conferred for nearly five hours before the release. However, they were still unable to reach a verdict.
Along with the calm in Trump’s case, intense speculation has come. In some ways, this period of uncertainty between testimony and sentencing is a feature of every criminal trial, especially when a defendant’s freedom is at stake.
In this case, however, there is much more on the scales, as Trump seeks a second term as president. As of now, Trump has a slight lead in the polls over incumbent President Joe Biden.
Grim prospects
Trump also seems to be struggling with the possibility of jail time that could result from a conviction.
I don’t even know what the charges are in this rigged case. I am entitled to specificity just like anyone else. There is no crime!
In comments to reporters as he left court on Wednesday, Trump referred to his former Trump Organisation chief financial officer Allen Weisselberg. The Republican candidate claimed Weisselberg was “suffering greatly” at Rikers Island prison.
The director is serving a five-month sentence there for perjury during his trial in a civil case over Trump Organisation business fraud last year.
Trump and his allies have also lowered expectations, suggesting a conviction is almost inevitable. Earlier Wednesday, Trump stated that “Mother Teresa” would not be able to win the case he faced. Meanwhile, others predicted that jurors would rush to a verdict because of the “rigged” process.
