Sentence to follow in July
Jury finds Trump guilty on all counts
30.05.2024, 23:11
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In the trial over hush money payments in New York, the twelve jurors reached a unanimous verdict: They found the former president guilty. It is still unclear what punishment the Republican will face.
In the trial for concealing hush money payments to a porn actress, the jury found former US President Donald Trump guilty on all 34 counts of the indictment. It is the first time in American history that a former president has been convicted of a crime. Trump, who had appeared calm in the courtroom that afternoon, accepted the verdict with his eyes closed and appeared unmoved.
The sentence is to be announced on July 11. Trump theoretically faces up to four years in prison, but observers believe this is unlikely. The prison sentence could also be suspended, and he may also get away with a fine. The Republican can appeal. Even if he is convicted, he can run in the presidential election in November.
Trump: Verdict is a “disgrace”
Many people followed the trial from outside the courthouse. There was cheering when the verdict was announced.
(Photo: REUTERS)
Trump commented to the press that the verdict was a “disgrace”. The judge was corrupt and he was innocent. The “real verdict” would be made in the US presidential election in November. The “whole country” is being “manipulated” at the moment. The blame lies with the Biden administration, which wants to “hurt” or “damage” a political opponent.
The prosecution had accused Trump of trying to improve his chances of winning the 2016 presidential election by paying $130,000 in hush money to porn actress Stormy Daniels and then illegally accounting for the flow of money. The seven men and five women on the jury had been listening to the testimony of more than 20 witnesses since mid-April – the jury’s deliberations had been underway since Wednesday.
Although the payment itself – which neither party disputed – was not illegal, the now 77-year-old is said to have manipulated documents when reimbursing the amount to his then personal lawyer Michael Cohen in order to conceal the true reason for the transaction. This made him guilty of 34 counts of illegal campaign financing. Trump’s lawyers had argued that these were ordinary legal fees.