"Sentencing is set for July 11 at 10 a.m.
That will put sentencing four days before the beginning of the Republican National Convention, at which Trump is expected to receive the party’s presidential nomination." - Michael Gold, Jesse McKinley, NYT
I don’t know if I’d be saying this about the man that could throw me in jail for the rest of my life (does anyone think he will live more than four years?).
“This was a disgrace,” Trump says. “This was a rigged trial by a conflicted judge who was corrupt.”
Holy Moses!
"Donald J. Trump has been convicted of falsifying records to cover up a sex scandal that threatened his ascent to the White House in 2016, part of a scheme that prosecutors described as a fraud on the American people. He is the first American president to be declared a felon, a stain he will carry as he seeks to regain the presidency." - Jonah E. Bromwich and Ben Protess, NYT #trumptrial#hushmoney
The charges carry up to $5,000 and/or 4 years prison penalty. I don’t see the judge thinking a $170,000 fine will be sufficient for this… #TrumpTrial#TrumpVerdict
Each page yesterday took him just a little more than a minute, so this will take >30 mins.
Between that & the testimony readbacks, also expected to take >30 mins, there will likely be >1 hour this morning w/the jury in the courtroom, not actively deliberating.
Justice #Merchan tells the jurors they can discuss the case if they’d like, but do not have to. The choice is theirs, but they are no longer barred from discussing the case. He asks to meet w/them to discuss their work, though not the facts of the case.
The judge thanks the jury. He tells them he admires & appreciates their hard work, & praises them for their engagement & their investment. “You gave this matter the attention that it deserved and I thank you for that.”
#Trump stands up as the jurors exit, w/a frown on his face. He does not look at the jury as they leave, his eyes downcast.
Todd Blanche, Trump's lawyer, is arguing, w/ the jurors gone, that the verdict is impromper and should be tossed because it relied on Michael Cohen’s testimony.