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thewayneA former president was convicted on all 34 charges after 7.5 hours of deliberation by the jury.
Honestly, I did not expect a sweep, I was expecting some of the charges to fail. But he badly hampered his defense, then really messed up with slandering the judge repeatedly in addition to directly disrespecting the jury by not standing when they came in. He didn't do much to try to present himself as a likable, respectable person.
It's possible that this was the tactic all along, to accept this as a loss and tie it up for eternity on appeal. Regardless, his status as a convicted felon is now cemented.
There is one thing that would wipe away the convictions, though: if he dies before appeals are exhausted. That's what happened to the head of Enron.
https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/donald-trump-found-guilty-hush-money-trial-1235029425/
ETA: He was convicted of falsifying business records, i.e. trying to conceal/structure the payments to Stormy Daniels to hide them from discovery. The issue of him having had sex with Stormy was completely irrelevant. Just like his second trial re E. Jean Carrol, he had already been found guilty of slandering her, the defense in both cases were arguing the wrong points.
Normally under NY State Law, falsifying business records is a misdemeanor, but if it was "done to “commit another crime or to aid or conceal” another crime — in this case, violations of election laws", then it becomes a Class E felony, potentially punishable by prison time of 1-4 years.
The likelihood of this being the sentence is not high, more probable of a fine and probation, but it's still a felony conviction. Which means, as I recall, he cannot vote in Florida until after the probation is over and the fines are paid.
Honestly, I did not expect a sweep, I was expecting some of the charges to fail. But he badly hampered his defense, then really messed up with slandering the judge repeatedly in addition to directly disrespecting the jury by not standing when they came in. He didn't do much to try to present himself as a likable, respectable person.
It's possible that this was the tactic all along, to accept this as a loss and tie it up for eternity on appeal. Regardless, his status as a convicted felon is now cemented.
There is one thing that would wipe away the convictions, though: if he dies before appeals are exhausted. That's what happened to the head of Enron.
https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/donald-trump-found-guilty-hush-money-trial-1235029425/
ETA: He was convicted of falsifying business records, i.e. trying to conceal/structure the payments to Stormy Daniels to hide them from discovery. The issue of him having had sex with Stormy was completely irrelevant. Just like his second trial re E. Jean Carrol, he had already been found guilty of slandering her, the defense in both cases were arguing the wrong points.
Normally under NY State Law, falsifying business records is a misdemeanor, but if it was "done to “commit another crime or to aid or conceal” another crime — in this case, violations of election laws", then it becomes a Class E felony, potentially punishable by prison time of 1-4 years.
The likelihood of this being the sentence is not high, more probable of a fine and probation, but it's still a felony conviction. Which means, as I recall, he cannot vote in Florida until after the probation is over and the fines are paid.
no subject
Date: 2024-05-31 04:15 pm (UTC)For this trial, prison was very unlikely. He'd be looking at a max of four years, so most likely probation especially since this is white collar and first court conviction. He's got, IIRC, $170,000 in fines to pay, which he theoretically can afford. He might have to wear an ankle monitor, which will really piss him off!
no subject
Date: 2024-05-31 11:36 pm (UTC)Bring on the bracelet. :)
no subject
Date: 2024-06-01 12:01 am (UTC)Considering he still has to return to Marchen's court for sentencing, his continued outbursts may put him there: I'm not sure the gag order is lifted with the end of the trial. I'm sure he can still be held in contempt of court until after the sentencing phase is over.
no subject
Date: 2024-06-01 01:00 am (UTC)