Photo: Donald Trump after the verdict verdict in court
Donald Trump became the first president in US history to be convicted of a criminal offense. A New York jury found him guilty of falsifying documents in an attempt to hide hush money paid to a former porn star before the 2016 election.
After deliberations that spanned two days, all 12 jurors found Trump guilty on all 34 counts. Unanimity is required for any verdict.
Trump watched impassively as jurors testified during the trial to uphold the guilty verdict. Trump, 77, has denied guilt and is expected to appeal the ruling, Voice of America reports.
“We did nothing wrong. I am a completely innocent man,”— Trump said after leaving the courtroom.
Donald Trump's press office later released a statement saying: "It was a disgrace. It was a rigged trial conducted by a corrupt judge. This is a rigged trial, a shame. They did not allow us to change the venue of the trial. In this constituency we had 5% or 6% supporters.”.
According to Trump“The real verdict will be pronounced on November 5th by the people. And they know what happened here [in the courtroom] and everyone knows what happened here.”.
Trump accused the White House of trying to eliminate a political opponent through the judicial system: "This was done by the Biden administration to harm or harm an opponent, a political adversary. And I think it's just a shame. And we will continue to fight.”.
The judge will announce the punishment for Donald Trump on July 11.
The ex-president faces a sentence of four years in prison, although others convicted of the crime often receive shorter sentences, fines or probation. A prison sentence will not prevent him from campaigning or becoming president if he wins.
The jury notified the court of its verdict and read all 34 counts.
A jury found Trump guilty of falsifying business records after a five-week trial that included candid testimony from porn star Stormy Daniels about intimate encounters she said took place in 2006, after the former president was married to his current wife. Melania. Trump has denied ever having an affair with Daniels.
Trump's then-lawyer Michael Cohen testified that Trump approved paying Daniels $130,000 for her silence ahead of the 2016 election, when he faced numerous allegations of sexual harassment.
Cohen testified that he personally handled the payment and that Trump approved a plan to reimburse Cohen through monthly payments structured as legal fees. Trump's lawyers highlighted Cohen's criminal record and imprisonment, as well as his repeated false statements under various circumstances.
Falsifying business records is a misdemeanor in New York State, but Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg's office upgraded it to a felony on the grounds that Trump hid illegal campaign contributions.
Trump complained that that he could not get a fair trial in his hometown, where Democrats rule.
The case was seen as the least significant of the four criminal prosecutions Trump faces. Bragg brought the case back to life after his predecessor decided not to press charges against the former head of state.
The case is also likely to be the only one that goes to trial before the election, as other trials against Trump are delayed due to procedural problems.
If elected, Trump could close two federal investigations that accuse him of unlawfully trying to overturn his 2020 election defeat and mishandling classified documents after leaving office in 2021 . Trump has pleaded not guilty in all cases and called all the cases opened against him an attempt by Democrats to harm him ahead of the election.
Prepared by: Sergei Daga