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On Wednesday, jury deliberations in the weeks-long Manhattan criminal “hush money” case are set to begin, following Tuesday’s closing arguments from the prosecution and the defense.
Per RSBN, the case is based upon allegations of the falsification of business records linked to “hush money” payments to porn actress Stormy Daniels. The reimbursement payments were made to former lawyer Michael Cohen. Both Daniels and Cohen have spent time on the witness stand during this trial.
The credibility of Cohen’s witness has drawn national attention and raised many eyebrows. Via RSBN, Cohen even admitted to stealing tens of thousands of dollars from the Trump Organization in 2016.
On Truth Social, Trump took a swing at presiding Judge Juan Merchan on Wednesday morning. He wrote, “KANGAROO COURT! A CORRUPT AND CONFLICTED JUDGE. RELIANCE ON COUNSEL (ADVISE OF COUNSEL) NOT ALLOWED BY MERCHAN, A FIRST.”
He continued, “HIS RULINGS, ON A CASE THAT SHOULD, ACCORDING TO ALL LEGAL SCHOLARS AND EXPERTS, NEVER HAVE BEEN BROUGHT, HAVE MADE THIS A BIDEN PUSHED WITCH HUNT. THERE WAS NO CRIME, EXCEPT FOR THE BUM THAT GOT CAUGHT STEALING FROM ME! IN GOD WE TRUST!”
The jury in Trump’s trial includes 18 residents of the Manhattan area, along with six alternate jurors. Per the Associated Press:
“The jury represents a diverse cross-section of the borough and come from various professional backgrounds, including a sales professional, a software engineer, a security engineer, a teacher, a speech therapist, multiple lawyers, an investment banker and a retired wealth manager.”
Trump has been charged with 34 counts related to the hush money case. Each charge carries a maximum sentence of up to four years in prison and a $5,000 fine. RSBN reported that the U.S. Secret Service had reportedly met with local jail officials in New York to prepare for a potential verdict that could lead to a jail sentence for the president.
In the event of a “hung jury” in this case, “the DA’s office would have the option of re-trying him…they can go back to trial almost immediately,” former federal prosecutor Andrew Cherkasky told Fox Business.
