One thing I’ve learned about waiting for a verdict …
… is not to read tea leaves.
Did this juror look at Michael Cohen funny? Why did the jury ask for those instructions to be read to them again? What does it mean that they’re still deliberating?
Impossible to know.
In the Trump case, I feel a great deal of anxiety while waiting. But I’m not sure why because the trial has already been terrible in its most basic aspects: that it was brought at all, the extreme bias of the judge in his rulings during the trial, and his charge to the jury right out of the Alice stories.
So, what difference will the verdict make? Perhaps not much, as any lingering trust in the fairness of the court has been destroyed. But I still hope for a hung jury, because that may at least offer us the bare bones of a campaign season in which Trump is allowed to move around freely and meet the people.
We’re counting on the integrity, decency, and respect for the law as written of at least 1 of these 12 Manhattan Democrats. I honestly don’t know what will happen, but the fact that we’re nearing the end of the second day without a verdict so far is actually probably more of a good thing than not. But I’m far too jaded to be sanguine at this point. I know all too well how huge numbers of supposedly intelligent and well educated people have become deranged and compromised by peer pressure.
I would think that these jurors were specifically hand-picked not only for their rabid Trump hate but also for the ease with which they can be “persuaded” to vote guilty (if they even needed any persuasion). I can’t imagine this hand-picked group will take very long to send him to jail. They were probably advised by the judge and prosecutors to ask for that additional information in order to give some “legitimacy” to the proceedings, rather than walk back after a couple minutes’ deliberation with a guilty on all charges verdict. Now the media and Democrats (and Republicans who kick Trump off the ballot) can say the jury was “clearly doing their due diligence in analyzing all the facets of the case before thoughtfully rendering their decision” and that “we must respect their sage decision in the name of democracy”.
There is no possibility of a “good” person on that jury. However, each and every one of them will truly believe that they are doing the lord’s work in sending Trump to prison.
Agree Neo, no point in reading these tea leaves, or in listening to the talking heads that are doing so. I am also anxious about this verdict – I’m praying there is one juror with enough courage and integrity to throw the BS flag on this sham. For what it’s worth, I would feel the same way if Biden were the defendant.
If Trump is convicted, the BBC offers the following outline of events. While a terrible corruption of justice, a guilty verdict appears unlikely to put Trump in prison.
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What happens with a guilty verdict?
Mr Trump has been free on bail throughout the trial. If the verdict is guilty, he will probably still be able to leave the court as a free man until Justice Juan Merchan schedules a sentencing hearing.
The judge has several factors to consider in sentencing, including Mr Trump’s age (77), lack of previous conviction and possibly his violations of the court’s gag orders. The sentence could involve a fine, probation or supervision, or possibly prison time.
Mr Trump’s team may use Stormy Daniels’ testimony as grounds for appeal
Mr Trump would almost certainly appeal against a guilty verdict, a process that could take months or even longer.
His legal team would then face the Appellate Division in Manhattan, and possibly the Court of Appeals.
This all means it would be highly unlikely that Mr Trump will leave the court in handcuffs, and he would be expected to remain free on bail while he appeals.…
Could Trump go to prison?
It is possible, though highly unlikely, that Mr Trump would serve time behind bars in the event of a guilty verdict.
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/crgg4kv0682o
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Then there’s the possibility that Mark Levin quoted that the Supreme Court could swoop in and overturn. I guess it could happen.
Clap if you believe in fairies!
I agree with Nonapod and steve+walsh, but sadly fishoats is probably right.
Another concern I have is that in our current “civilized” society the one juror with a conscience may be afraid of the repercussions. Their life could potentially become a living hell thanks to the “tolerant” left.
“and his charge to the jury right out of the Alice stories.”
I thought it was absolute genius. Since Bragg hasn’t told the jury what the crime is, the judge gave the jury a smorgasbord of crimes to choose from and told the jury to find Trump guilty of something. Brillant, I say
Verdict announced to Merchan, jury completing forms prior to declaration in court, 1/2 hour approx to announce formally.
I don’t have much hope here.
Kate:
Nor do I.
Said yesterday, after former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi’s input, that ‘Am thinking Trump is found innocent quickly (by tomorrow) or gets a hung jury.‘
This doesn’t look like hung jury – sooOOOooo, Maybe…just maybe!
I don’t have a particularly bad feeling about this. It is a feeling though.
Well, we know something we didn’t know for sure –that this lawfare worked..
https://www.cnn.com/politics/live-news/trump-hush-money-trial-05-30-24/index.html
My feelings are Fuk New York – and the rest is too horrid to write here.
I am almost as furious as I was right after the 2020 election.
How to channel the anger?
This sorry, sorry trial has put our whole legal/judicial process on trial, and found it deficient. Judge Merchan is a biased Democrat with a history of Dem. donations on the books. He is a terrible judge, an offense to the profession. DA Bragg, the prosecutor, was never made to pronounce what felony (not expired misdemeanors) was at issue.
The whole miserable procedure was atrocious, a travesty.
And poor Trump was forced to sit thru and endure this BS political trial.
Yes, the story about the juror who made eye contact with Trump and was therefore supposed to be favorable to him turned out not to be true.
In Manhattan, if anybody is going to do the Henry Fonda act in “Twelve Angry Men” and try to win over the other jurors, it won’t be for the right side.
I wonder what the other prosecutors (state? federal?) who passed on the case are thinking now.
@Abraxas:I wonder what the other prosecutors (state? federal?) who passed on the case are thinking now.
That in Federal court it would be much harder to rig the judge, jury, and prosecution in the way they did.