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In the first criminal trial of Republican Donald Trump, a jury found the former US president guilty of 34 counts of falsifying business records in an effort to conceal a $130,000 payment to porn star Stormy Daniels in exchange for her silence about an affair that was to take place during the 2016 presidential election year.
Trump is the first US president to be acquitted.
The ruling would not prevent him from continuing his campaign or from serving as president if he wins the election, Reuters reported.
New York state judge Juan Merchan is expected to make a ruling later, on July 11. Trump faces a fine or several years in prison, though he could receive probation.
The court clerk asks the jury whether they find Donald Trump guilty.
The juror answered “yes”.
Afterwards, they each confirmed their decision.
Trump was looking forward except for the moment when the juror read the verdict. Then he looked toward the juror who was reading the verdict.
Trump: This is rigged
After the verdict, Trump spoke out, calling it a rigged trial in which U.S. President Joseph Biden tried to discredit him.
He said the judge was unbiased and it was a disgraceful trial. He announced he would continue to fight.
Trump’s lawyer Todd Branch asked for acquittal.
His former lawyer testifies against Trump
Michael Cohen, Trump’s former lawyer who allegedly paid Daniels, said in court that he had informed his client of the payment.
Trump’s lawyers have portrayed Cohen as a convicted felon and con man, recalling his time in prison for tax fraud and lying to Congress.
Cohen’s story largely matches testimony from Daniels and tabloid editor David Pecker, who said he worked with Trump and Cohen to curb negative coverage of Trump during the Republican’s time in the White House.
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