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. NBC News reports that the verdict was delivered in a Manhattan courtroom where Trump had been on trial since April 15.
Trump had pleaded not guilty to all charges, which stem from allegations that he falsified business records related to a hush money payment made by his former lawyer, Michael Cohen, to adult film star Stormy Daniels during the final weeks of the 2016 presidential election.
According to NBC News, Trump appeared tense, looking down with narrowed eyes as the jury foreperson read "guilty" for each of the 34 counts. The jury reached its verdict after 9.5 hours of deliberation, which began on Wednesday.
This historic conviction comes as Trump is considered the presumed Republican nominee for the upcoming presidential election. He is set to be sentenced in July.
Judge Juan Merchan, who presided over the weeks-long trial, thanked the jurors for their diligent service. "You gave this matter the attention it deserved, and I want to thank you for that," he told them, as reported by NBC News.
Following the verdict, Trump’s attorney, Todd Blanche, made a motion for acquittal, which the judge promptly denied.
In his closing arguments, prosecutor Joshua Steinglass emphasized the principle of equality before the law. "The law is the law and it applies to everyone equally. There is no special standard for this defendant," Steinglass told the jury. "You, the jury, have the ability to hold the defendant accountable."
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