The jury in the trial of President Donald Trump in New York has completed their first day of deliberations.
I honestly have no idea what their verdict will be. Based only on what I’ve heard about the judge’s jury instructions I will actually be surprised if he’s acquitted.
The judge has been doing what the Democrats wanted, create a show trial. He’s given a series of pretty dubious rulings during the trial so I do think the jury will find him guilty of the facts presented; but the issues of law means the verdict will fall on appeal (after the election).
I guess we will find out the political impact of having Trump found “guilty” soon… but I wouldn’t be shocked if it helps him (i.e. he gets a polling boost from being “politically prosecuted”).
It will energize his base. Not sure that it will gain him new supporters. IANAL but they sent Cohen to jail for, among other reasons, the crime Trump ordered him to commit. Just seems odd that the guy ordering the crime would not bear responsibility but then a lot of our laws are poorly written.
Steve