Jurors Submit IMPORTANT NOTE in TRUMP TRIAL

MeidasTouch
29 May 202414:19

Summary

TLDRDuring the Trump criminal trial, a buzzer indicating a jury note or verdict went off. The jury requested specific testimonies, including that of David Pecker regarding phone conversations and the Trump Tower meeting, where a 'catch and kill' scheme was discussed. The focus on these testimonies suggests the jury is trying to determine if Trump intentionally influenced the 2016 election. Legal analysts suggest the jury's questions reflect their serious approach and may indicate they are grappling with the case's central issues, such as intent and the nature of the alleged conspiracy.

Takeaways

  • 🕰️ The buzzer signaling a verdict or a question from the jury went off during the deliberations in the Trump criminal trial.
  • 📞 Lisa Rubin reported that the jury had sent a note, not a verdict, asking for additional information, which is a common occurrence in trials.
  • 👥 Both the prosecution and defense teams, including Donald Trump himself, re-entered the courtroom after the jury's note was received.
  • 👨‍⚖️ Justice Maran announced that the court had received a note from the jury with four requests for information.
  • 🗣️ The jury requested specific testimonies from David Pecker and Michael Cohen regarding phone conversations, life rights agreements, and the Trump Tower meeting.
  • 🤔 The jury's focus on the Trump Tower meeting suggests they are trying to understand Trump's intent to influence the election through the 'catch and kill' arrangement.
  • 👥 George Conway cryptically suggested that the questions might not be a good sign for the defense.
  • 📝 The jury's request for evidence indicates they are taking their job seriously and seeking clarification on key issues.
  • 🔍 There may be some misinterpretation of the note's content among reporters, highlighting the importance of accurate court reporting.
  • 📚 The jury's request for specific testimonies provides insight into their deliberation process and the issues they are focusing on.
  • 📉 The jury's focus on the Trump Tower meeting and Trump's involvement could be seen as a positive sign for the prosecution.

Q & A

  • What does the buzzer going off during deliberations in a trial typically indicate?

    -The buzzer going off during deliberations typically indicates one of two things: either the jury has reached a verdict or they have a note with a question or request for additional information.

  • What is the significance of the jury's request for David Pecker's testimony regarding phone conversations during an investor meeting?

    -The request suggests that the jury is trying to understand the context and details of the discussions that took place during the investor meeting, which may be crucial to their deliberation on whether the actions discussed were intended to influence the election.

  • What is the 'catch and kill' scheme mentioned in the script?

    -The 'catch and kill' scheme refers to a practice where a publication acquires the rights to a story with no intention of publishing it, effectively silencing the story. In this case, it's alleged to have been discussed as a means to influence the 2016 election.

  • Why did the jury request Michael Cohen's testimony regarding the Trump Tower meeting?

    -The jury likely requested Michael Cohen's testimony to clarify his account of the discussions that took place during the Trump Tower meeting, which is central to the case and involves the alleged conspiracy to influence the election.

  • What does George Conway's statement about the jury's questions being 'not a good sign for the defense' imply?

    -George Conway's statement implies that the questions raised by the jury could potentially indicate that they are considering a verdict that would not be favorable to the defense, possibly because the questions are focused on key elements of the prosecution's case.

  • What does the term 'jury note' refer to in the context of a trial?

    -A 'jury note' refers to a written communication from the jury to the judge, typically used to request additional information or clarification on certain aspects of the case during their deliberations.

  • What is the significance of the jury wanting to review David Pecker's decision not to finalize and fund the assignment of Karen McDougal's life rights?

    -This request suggests that the jury is trying to understand the financial and contractual aspects of the alleged conspiracy, specifically why the payment plan involving Michael Cohen was chosen over a direct payment by David Pecker.

  • How does the process of the jury requesting evidence differ from them asking a question?

    -A jury requesting evidence, like a transcript of a testimony, is seeking specific information to review as part of their deliberations. In contrast, asking a question is typically seeking clarification or additional explanation on a point of law or fact.

  • What does the focus on the Trump Tower meeting by the jury indicate about their deliberation process?

    -The focus on the Trump Tower meeting indicates that the jury is concentrating on the alleged conspiracy involving Donald Trump's intent to influence the election, which is a central issue in the case.

  • What is the role of the court reporter in fulfilling the jury's request for specific testimonies?

    -The court reporter is responsible for locating and providing the specific testimonies requested by the jury from the official transcripts of the trial proceedings.

Outlines

00:00

🛎️ Jury Deliberation Update in Trump Criminal Trial

The video script details a significant moment in Donald Trump's criminal trial when a buzzer signals a jury note or verdict. Lisa Rubin reports the activation of the 'jury bell,' prompting the re-entry of legal teams. The jury's note requests specific testimonies, including that of David Pecker regarding phone conversations, life rights agreements, and the Trump Tower meeting. This meeting is central to the alleged 'catch and kill' scheme discussed during the trial. Legal analysts suggest that the jury's focus on these details indicates they are considering whether Trump's actions were intended to influence the 2016 election, a key aspect of the case. The seriousness of the jury's approach and their targeted questions are highlighted as they aim to understand the case's core issues.

05:02

📚 Juror Questions and Request for Evidence Clarification

This paragraph delves into the commonality of jurors asking questions during trials and the process that ensues when they do. It explains that in New York, unlike some other jurisdictions, the jury must request evidence, which provides insight into their thought process. The script discusses the jury's request for specific testimonies related to the case's pivotal moments, indicating their focus on understanding the evidence and the law. There is a discrepancy in how the first question is reported, suggesting the importance of accurate record-keeping in court. The paragraph also explores the implications of the jury's focus on the Trump Tower meeting and the alleged conspiracy, hinting at the significance of the evidence and testimonies they have requested.

10:03

🕵️‍♂️ Analyzing the Jury's Focus and Potential Implications

The final paragraph of the script discusses the implications of the jury's focus on the Trump Tower meeting and the alleged conspiracy to influence the election. It suggests that the jury is 'laser focused' on Trump's involvement and intent, which is central to the prosecution's case. The paragraph also addresses an alternate conspiracy theory that was presented during the trial but lacks evidential support. The discussion highlights the importance of the jury's request for specific testimonies to clarify their understanding of the case. The video concludes with a teaser for further analysis in an upcoming live version of 'Legal AF' and encourages viewers to stay updated with the latest news.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Buzzer

A buzzer in a courtroom setting is a device that signals a request from the jury. In the context of the video, the buzzer going off indicates either a verdict has been reached or the jury has a question or a note for the court. The script mentions the buzzer going off during deliberations, which leads to a pause in proceedings as the court awaits the jury's communication.

💡Deliberations

Deliberations refer to the process where the jury privately discusses and evaluates the evidence presented in a trial to reach a verdict. The video script discusses the buzzer going off during deliberations, which is a significant moment as it suggests the jury may have questions or have reached a decision.

💡Verdict

A verdict is the decision made by a jury at the end of a trial, determining the guilt or innocence of the defendant. The script suggests that the buzzer could indicate a verdict, which is a pivotal moment in a trial as it reflects the jury's consensus on the case.

💡Jury Note

A jury note is a written communication from the jury to the judge, typically asking for clarification or requesting additional information. In the script, it is revealed that the buzzer signaled a jury note, which became a focal point for discussion and analysis regarding the case's progress.

💡David Pecker

David Pecker is mentioned in the script as the former leader of American Media Inc. (AMI), which controlled the National Enquirer. His testimony is requested by the jury in the note, specifically regarding phone conversations and a meeting at Trump Tower, indicating his involvement in the case's key events.

💡Karen McDougall's Life Rights Agreement

The script refers to a life rights agreement involving Karen McDougall, a former Playboy playmate. The jury's request for David Pecker's testimony related to this agreement suggests that it is a significant aspect of the case, potentially involving payments or arrangements made to influence the election.

💡Trump Tower Meeting

The Trump Tower meeting is a key event mentioned in the script, where the 'catch and kill' scheme was allegedly first discussed. The jury's interest in testimonies regarding this meeting highlights its importance in determining the case's outcome.

💡Catch and Kill

The term 'catch and kill' refers to a practice where a publication acquires and then suppresses a story, often to protect someone from negative publicity. In the video's context, it is suggested that this scheme was used to influence the 2016 election, and the jury is interested in testimonies that relate to this arrangement.

💡Michael Cohen

Michael Cohen is a central figure in the script, mentioned as having testified regarding the Trump Tower meeting. His testimony is requested again by the jury, indicating his role as a key witness in the case.

💡Intent

Intent is a legal concept referring to the mental state of a person committing a crime, indicating that they meant to engage in the act. The script suggests that the jury is trying to establish whether Donald Trump specifically intended to influence the election, which is crucial for determining guilt.

💡Felony

A felony is a serious crime that carries more severe penalties than a misdemeanor. The script discusses the threshold of whether the actions in question constitute a felony, particularly in relation to the intent to influence the election.

Highlights

The buzzer went off during deliberations in the Trump criminal trial, signaling either a verdict or a jury question.

Jury's request for additional information suggests they are taking their job seriously and are focused on the case's core issues.

Jurors requested David Pecker's testimony about phone conversations during an investor meeting.

Jury asked for details on Karen McDougall's life rights agreement from David Pecker's testimony.

Jurors inquired about the Trump Tower meeting where the catch and kill scheme was first discussed.

Michael Cohen's testimony regarding the Trump Tower meeting was requested by the jury.

The jury's focus on the Trump Tower meeting indicates they are considering Trump's intent to influence the 2016 election.

George Conway's cryptic response suggests the jury's questions may not be a good sign for the defense.

Jury's request for evidence reflects their engagement with the case and their effort to reach a consensus.

The process of the jury asking for evidence is standard in both federal and state courts.

Jurors' questions are typically answered by the judge after consulting with both the defense and prosecution.

Different reporters provided varying interpretations of the jury's first question, highlighting the challenge of accurate reporting.

Jury's focus on Pecker's decision not to finalize and fund McDougall's life rights suggests they are examining alternate theories.

The jury's laser focus on the Trump Tower meeting and Trump's involvement is a significant development.

The jury's request for evidence is a positive sign for the prosecution, as it indicates the jurors are zeroing in on the conspiracy.

The first note from the jury is often emphasized in its potential to indicate the direction of their deliberations.

Transcripts

00:00

the buzzer went off during the

00:01

deliberations Michael popac in the Trump

00:04

criminal trial and when a buzzer goes

00:06

off it means one of two things it either

00:09

means there's a verdict or the jury has

00:12

a note where the jury asks a question

00:14

Lisa Rubin who's in the court reports

00:16

new like a bat phone the jury Bell has

00:20

gone off at Trump's criminal trial and

00:23

now we wait to find out why inw walks

00:26

the district's attorney's team this is

00:28

no accident in walks Donald Trump and

00:31

the defense team it turns out Michael

00:34

popac it was indeed a note the jury had

00:38

uh a request for some additional

00:41

information as they deliberate uh Anne

00:44

Bower though reports how here's a trump

00:47

trial update something might be about to

00:49

happen likely a jury note there's a

00:52

buzzer the jury can ring when they want

00:54

to contact a court officer to send a

00:57

note to the judge the bell rang a few

01:01

minutes ago the jury had been

01:02

deliberating for more than three hours

01:05

in courtroom

01:07

1530 the prosecution team re-enters the

01:10

room the district attorney Susan

01:13

hoffinger Matthew Colangelo Becky

01:15

Mangold Josh Stein glass and some of the

01:18

paralegals enter Trump followed by his

01:21

defense team and Entourage filed back in

01:25

Trump's crew seated in The Gallery at

01:27

the moment includes Don Jr Alina ABA and

01:29

and Boris Epstein uh justice Muran then

01:33

announced we have received a note and

01:36

then Justice Maran proceeds to read the

01:39

note where the jurors have made four

01:42

requests for information they are

01:46

requesting one David pecker uh the

01:49

former leader of Ami which controlled

01:52

National Inquirer they're requesting

01:54

David Pecker's testimony regarding phone

01:58

conversations during an investor meeting

02:01

to they're requesting David Pecker's

02:04

testimony related to Karen mcdougall's

02:07

life rights agreement three they are

02:10

requesting David Pecker's testimony

02:13

regarding the Trump Tower meeting where

02:16

the catch and kill scheme was uh first

02:19

discussed and four they are requesting

02:22

Michael Cohen's testimony regarding that

02:25

Trump Tower meeting and remember at that

02:29

meeting what testimony reflects is that

02:32

they were speaking about the 2016

02:35

election and how if these stories got

02:38

out it would be bad uh for Donald Trump

02:41

now George Conway stated somewhat

02:44

cryptically in response to these

02:46

questions the famed lawyer he goes not a

02:49

good sign for the defense um Roger

02:54

solenberger reporter he writes seems

02:57

that the jury this was my take on it you

03:00

know and and I'm not really reading

03:02

whether this is a good sign or a bad

03:04

sign per se I agree with what solenberg

03:07

is saying here though which is it seems

03:09

the jury is trying to reach a consensus

03:12

on whether Donald Trump specifically

03:15

intended to influence the election with

03:19

the catch and kill Arrangement and popac

03:22

if that's correct that means that the

03:25

jurors recognize that there is a crime

03:28

here that was committ aded that two

03:31

Trump was involved in it but the key

03:34

threshold here as this is a felony was

03:37

this issue of was it intended to

03:40

influence the election was it a

03:42

violation of these other acts that make

03:46

this into a felony I think that's a fair

03:48

interpretation finally before turning it

03:50

over to you Michael popok without me

03:53

reading this is a good note or a bad

03:55

note to me what it reflects most

03:57

importantly though is the jury's taking

04:00

their job very seriously and they are

04:03

asking questions that get to the heart

04:06

of the matter and the case right away

04:08

let me pass it over to you popac for

04:10

your take on this first very important

04:11

note thanks Ben this is a hardworking

04:14

jury they uh they told the judge they

04:16

wanted to work till 8:00 pm eastern time

04:18

last night um to get through closing

04:21

arguments and summation we've been

04:23

impressed by the approach of this jury

04:26

the maturity of this jury if you will

04:28

remember these were 12 12 people who

04:31

didn't know each other who have been

04:32

lashed together into a jury a thing we

04:35

call a jury the alternates have been

04:37

dismissed it's the 12 that's that were

04:40

in seats one through 12 that have now

04:42

retired to the jury deliberation room

04:44

away from the prying eyes of all lawyers

04:48

and the only thing that we find out to

04:50

try to a glimmer of what's going on in

04:52

there much like a pope selection process

04:55

where we're waiting on the white smoke

04:56

is when they hit the buzzer two buzzers

04:59

two two two two buzzes is they've

05:01

reached a verdict one Buzz is we got a

05:03

question and this happens all the time

05:06

so I don't want people to think this is

05:07

unusual I've never been in a jury trial

05:09

where a jury hasn't asked at least one

05:11

question usually more than one and it's

05:13

the same process regardless of whether

05:14

you're in federal or state court the

05:17

jury has a question the judge without

05:20

knowing yet the what the question is

05:22

reconvenes the entire defense and

05:25

prosecution team the two sides of the

05:26

case brings them back into the courtroom

05:29

when the question is then read it comes

05:31

through the jury four person who in this

05:33

case is in seat number one we know that

05:35

because that's New York practice then

05:37

the the the the uh the um request or the

05:40

note is read aloud then the judge will

05:45

consult with the lawyers on both sides

05:47

about hey whether that question is even

05:49

going to be answered sometimes the jury

05:50

asks questions that they are they decide

05:54

not to answer because it's outside the

05:56

record or it is not the law that's been

05:59

been charged by the by the only lawgiver

06:01

in that room which is the judge or some

06:04

for some other reason but this one is a

06:07

request for evidence because in some

06:10

courts and in some proceedings the pile

06:12

of evidence is sitting in the room in

06:14

the jury deliberation room but not in

06:15

New York in New York they have to

06:17

actually request which gives us a window

06:19

into their thinking what they want to

06:21

hear if they want to hear transcript

06:23

testimony even though you and I and

06:25

Midas Touch Network have been talking

06:26

about these daily release of transcripts

06:29

that pile of written transcripts by

06:31

court reporters taking down the notes of

06:33

everything that is said in the courtroom

06:34

and all the testimony is not in the room

06:36

with them they have to say we want the

06:39

testimony of a certain witness at a

06:41

certain time on a certain issue then the

06:43

court reporter has to find it if the

06:45

judge authorizes that to happen which

06:47

they will hear because this is a request

06:49

for evidence this isn't really a

06:50

question it's we want evidence question

06:53

would be

06:54

like can

06:56

we find a misdemeanor if we can't reach

07:00

consensus on a felony and if that hasn't

07:01

been the charge the answer to that would

07:03

be no but that would be a question this

07:04

is a request for information and for

07:06

evidence and there's a little bit

07:07

frankly of a disconnect with different

07:11

this this was what happens you get like

07:12

a rasham monic uh different people

07:16

hearing the same thing with a different

07:17

view I've seen question number one

07:20

reported differently than what you read

07:22

by one of the reporters here you read it

07:24

as David Pecker's investment meeting

07:27

thing everybody else I've seen has

07:29

reported it is that what they want is

07:32

and this is Kyle uh what's his name for

07:35

the guardian and others the first

07:37

question is apparently David Pecker's

07:39

testimony regarding his conversation

07:41

with Trump that makes a lot more sense

07:43

than how some other other people have

07:45

reported it so even people that are in

07:46

the room that are trying to jot it down

07:47

are not getting it exactly right

07:49

although the judge is getting it exactly

07:50

right and the court reporter is going to

07:52

have to be directed as to what that

07:54

means Pecker's decision not to finalize

07:56

and fund the assignment of mcdougall's

07:58

Life rights Caren McD's mcdougall's life

08:01

rights I'll talk about that in a minute

08:02

Pecker's testimony regarding the Trump

08:04

Tower meeting that's the Trump Tower

08:06

conspiracy that that as alleged by and

08:09

pushed by the prosecution in their

08:11

opening and throughout as a thread

08:12

throughout the trial involving Donald

08:14

Trump Cohen and pecker that's the heart

08:17

of this case if they want that that's a

08:19

sign of something and Michael Cohen's

08:21

testimony regarding the Trump Tower

08:23

meeting so there's three participants in

08:26

the Trump Tower conspiracy who testify

08:28

two out of three Trump never testified

08:31

the other two are pecker and Cohen and

08:33

they want that right now within the

08:35

early part of their deliberation

08:37

Pecker's test uh Pecker's decision not

08:39

to finalize something about the

08:41

assignment of mcdougall's Life rights

08:43

that may that may be to answer a

08:45

question of somebody on the jury about

08:48

why they went with the Michael Coan Co

08:51

Michael Cohen payment plan which went

08:53

through a straw man LLC created by

08:56

Michael and then covered up by and

08:59

willing participants on both sides phony

09:01

legal uh legal invoices for services

09:04

that were not rendered and then and then

09:06

an up payment a gross up payment related

09:07

to that so they want to find out well

09:09

why didn't pecker lay out the money this

09:10

the first time and there might be some

09:12

questions that others have again it what

09:15

happens is not misremembering but

09:17

they've been taking in this jury 12

09:19

different Minds have been taking in a

09:21

lot of information with 20 different

09:23

Witnesses over five or six weeks with

09:26

yes they're taking notes but everybody

09:27

you know listen think picture yourself

09:29

back in some sort of class and classroom

09:31

setting no two people's notes are going

09:34

to be exactly the same remember that kid

09:36

that student that had the amazing notes

09:38

that you wanted to get a hold of before

09:39

the exam right because not everybody's

09:41

perfect but they're remembering thing

09:43

maybe even misremembering things and

09:45

they're trying to get clarity on the key

09:47

issues it's a good sign I think it's

09:49

ultimately a good sign for the

09:50

prosecution or for the defense but that

09:52

they're focused so at the heart of this

09:56

case and and the one of the reasons I

09:58

think if the again if the question is

10:00

being reported correctly and I'm I'm

10:02

having some doubts based on based on

10:04

different versions of the same note but

10:06

the one about um Pecker's decision not

10:10

to finalize and fund the McDougall life

10:12

rights there was at the last minute

10:15

literally the last minute by Todd blanch

10:18

in his closing argument in his summation

10:20

they a suggestion that there was another

10:23

alternate conspiracy that was going on

10:26

that wasn't the criminal conspiracy at

10:28

the heart of the matter for Donald Trump

10:30

that it was a criminal conspiracy not

10:32

involving Donald Trump but invol

10:34

involving two participants the national

10:36

Inquirer and and and Stormy Daniels and

10:39

Carol mcdougall's lawyer and I I just

10:43

that had no evidential support as far as

10:45

I'm concerned and and something that

10:47

Josh steinl glass at his closing for the

10:48

prosecution pointed out but again there

10:51

may be somebody's like well what is

10:52

there anything to the other alternate

10:54

conspiracy theory as they're trying to

10:57

cycle through these issues to remove Pro

10:59

reasonable doubt that's the way I see

11:02

it's not a note it's a note it's not a

11:03

question it's a request for evidence and

11:05

you and I then trying to speculate about

11:07

where this all fits in the puzzle pieces

11:09

and what queries are in what people's

11:12

minds on that jury that need to be

11:13

answered by the readback of this

11:15

testimony well look they're focusing on

11:18

the meeting where there was discussion

11:20

about influencing the election that's

11:23

the Trump Tower meeting so the fact that

11:26

they and again I don't want to read into

11:28

notes so much be like this is a great

11:30

note for the prosecution but if you

11:33

think about it they're laser focused on

11:36

that meeting that meeting that meetings

11:40

that's those aren't the good facts about

11:42

Donald Trump right if the jury said I

11:44

want a note to compare Robert Costello's

11:47

testimony with Cohen's testimony right

11:50

that gives you a whole other data set

11:52

right they're focused on the meeting

11:55

involving Trump's intent where Trump was

11:58

present and pecker testified about

12:01

Trump's involvement in the catch and

12:04

kill to influence the elections and that

12:07

deal so let me do it another way with

12:09

you let me pait something to you suppose

12:11

the note was really this and they could

12:13

do this I'm not sure how it gets

12:15

answered suppose the note was give the

12:17

jury all of the places in the evidence

12:20

pile and testimony that link Donald

12:23

Trump directly to the conspiracy I mean

12:27

they could write that question

12:29

and maybe it's a future note but they're

12:31

not doing it that way they're doing it

12:34

in a way that for me if I'm if I had a

12:36

bet on this and I've been wrong on notes

12:38

before including in my own

12:40

cases but if I was a if I was a betting

12:43

leaning man it it looks like it's a it's

12:45

it's positive for the prosecution in

12:47

that they are zeroing in on the

12:49

conspiracy and kind of ignoring some of

12:52

the things so far that Todd blanch

12:53

argued in his closing yeah you go

12:55

they're going right laser focused on

12:57

intent remember pecker testimony at this

13:00

point was six weeks ago if I was on the

13:02

jury I could see why I would ask hey I

13:06

remember that conspiracy I remember they

13:07

talked about it I heard about it in the

13:10

summation send me back Pecker's

13:13

testimony though I just want to be

13:15

doubly sure that pecker who's Trump's

13:18

buddy testified that Trump was involved

13:21

in this scheme directly so I think

13:23

that's the best interpretation of it

13:25

right now but that's note number one

13:27

we'll keep you posted as we learn more

13:29

here on legal AF and on the midest touch

13:32

Network poac you want to leave with

13:33

something else yeah I was just going to

13:34

say we're going to be able to wrap it

13:35

all up tonight in our live version of

13:37

legal AF midweek with Karen Freeman n

13:40

nifo and we may have more notes to talk

13:42

about but we thought this one was

13:43

important you know there is sometimes in

13:45

in um in the note making World there is

13:48

a lot of emphasis placed on the first

13:51

note that comes out from a jury as you

13:53

and I try to figure out what it all

13:54

means hit subscribe let's get to three

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[Music]