The jury made its decision in the “hush room” case of former US President and Republican candidate for the 2024 presidential elections, Donald Trump, which has been going on for 6 weeks.
FOUND GUILTY TOTALLY
The court’s jury panel of 12 people, 7 of whom were men, decided that Trump was guilty of all 34 separate charges against him in the “hush money” case.
A FIRST IN US HISTORY
Thus, for the first time in US history, a former president who appeared before a judge on the charges against him was found guilty.
FIRST STATEMENT FROM TRUMP
In a short statement to the media after the jury’s verdict, Trump said, “This was a disgraceful and fraudulent trial. People know what happened here. I am a very innocent man. I am defending our country and our constitution.” he said.
Arguing that the country has turned into hell, Trump repeated that the case was brought up by his political rivals and said, “We have a country in big trouble, this is a fraudulent decision, this judge should never have been allowed to hear this trial.” he said. Judge Juan Merchan, who presided over the case, set July 11, 2024 for the sentence to be given to Trump after the jury delivers its verdict.
WHAT WILL HAPPEN NEXT?
The first court day for Trump, who was found guilty by the jury today, will be on July 11, where the decision on conviction will be given.
Judge Juan Juan Merchan may sentence Trump from 1 to 4 years, but experts emphasize that the substances for which Trump was found guilty are among the misdemeanor crimes (Class E) under New York law and that a prison sentence is not required in this case.
WILL HE GO TO JAIL?
Accordingly, Trump may receive a very low prison sentence, or other penalties including fines, compensation, probation and other conditions, and may not go to prison at all.
If Trump is sentenced to imprisonment, it is certain that he will appeal this decision.
In this case, since an appeal process that will last for months will begin, there will be no obstacle for Trump to take the presidency if he wins the elections.
WILL TRUMP’S CANDIDATE FOR PRESIDENT BE AFFECTED?
According to Constitutional experts and lawyers on the subject, Trump, who was found guilty in the trial and whose conviction will be announced on July 11, can still enter the presidential elections on November 5 and become the President of the United States again if he wins.
Experts say that even if a conviction is issued against Trump on July 11, there is no obstacle for the former US President to enter the elections and become president if he wins. Although it does not legally prevent him from running in the elections, it is being discussed whether the situation of being “found guilty” and potentially receiving a prison sentence will be in favor or against Trump.
One in four Republicans said they would not vote for Trump if he was convicted in his criminal case, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll of registered voters in April.
In the same poll, 60 percent of independents said they would not vote for Trump if he was convicted of a crime.
On the other hand, a significant part of the Republican base, which is devoted to Trump, believes that the trial in question was “rigged” and organized by Democrats. Polls show that these Republican voters will increase their support for Trump to a certain extent.
TRUMP’S ‘SILENCE PAYMENT’ CASE
US President Trump was indicted by a grand jury on March 18, 2023, as part of the investigation conducted by the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office regarding the illegal “hush fee” payment to Stormy Daniels, an actress in adult films, during the 2016 presidential elections.
Trump appeared before a judge in New York on April 4, 2023, for “hush money” and fraud in related records. Rejecting 34 separate accusations against him, Trump described the allegations against him as a “political witch hunt” and stated that he saw the accusations as “interference in elections”.
Trump was recorded as “the first former president in American history to appear before a judge on the charges against him.”
