Donald Trump found guilty in "hush money" criminal trial | Special Report

CBS News
30 May 202471:07

Summary

TLDRIn a historic first, former US President Donald Trump has been found guilty on all 34 counts of falsifying business records, related to hush money payments made during the 2016 election. The unanimous verdict by a jury of 12 comes with potential sentences of up to 4 years for each count, though the final sentencing decision, including the possibility of jail time, probation, or fines, will be determined by a judge on July 11th. This landmark conviction, although not preventing Trump from running for office, adds a new dimension to the upcoming presidential race and the Republican National Convention.

Takeaways

  • 📢 Former President Donald Trump has been found guilty on all 34 felony counts of falsifying business records, marking the first criminal conviction of a former U.S. president.
  • 🚨 The charges are related to hush money payments made to adult film star Stormy Daniels during the 2016 presidential election, which prosecutors argue were an attempt to conceal damaging information from the public.
  • 👥 Each of the 34 felony counts carries a potential sentence of up to 4 years in prison and a $5,000 fine, but the final sentencing is at the discretion of the judge.
  • 🏢 The trial took place in the Manhattan Criminal Courthouse and was presided over by Judge Merchan, with the jury deliberating for approximately 10 hours over two days.
  • 🤔 The jury's swift verdict has been interpreted by some legal experts as a sign that may indicate a conviction, as it typically takes longer for juries to agree on an acquittal.
  • 🎯 Key evidence focused on a 2015 meeting involving David Pecker, former publisher of the National Enquirer, and Michael Cohen, who was a crucial witness for the prosecution.
  • 🗳️ The prosecution argued that the payments to Stormy Daniels were not merely 'hush money' but part of a scheme to interfere with the 2016 election by mislabeling payments as legal expenses.
  • 👮‍♂️ Security around the courthouse was heightened, with police officers and helicopters on standby as the verdict was announced.
  • 🗣️ Trump's demeanor during the trial was described as tense, with him sitting with his arms crossed, pouting, and staring at the judge.
  • 🕰️ Sentencing is scheduled for July 11th, just four days before the Republican National Convention, adding a significant layer of complexity to the political landscape.

Q & A

  • What is the significance of the verdict in the trial of former President Donald Trump?

    -The verdict is significant as it marks the first time in U.S. history that a former president has been found guilty in a criminal trial. Donald Trump was convicted on all 34 counts of falsifying business records.

  • What were the charges against Donald Trump?

    -Donald Trump was charged with 34 felony counts of falsifying business records. These charges are related to hush money payments made to adult film star Stormy Daniels and are considered as part of a scheme to conceal damaging information from the public during the 2016 presidential election.

  • What is the potential sentence for each of the 34 felony counts against Donald Trump?

    -Each of the 34 felony counts carries a potential sentence of up to 4 years in prison and a fine of up to $5,000.

  • Is prison time certain for Donald Trump if convicted?

    -Prison time is not certain. The decision will be up to the judge during the sentencing phase.

  • What was the role of Michael Cohen in this case?

    -Michael Cohen, a former fixer for Donald Trump, was a crucial witness for the prosecution. He was involved in the payments to Stormy Daniels and testified about a key 2015 meeting that the jury was particularly interested in.

  • What was the 'catch and kill scheme' mentioned in the trial?

    -The 'catch and kill scheme' refers to an alleged strategy to bury scandalous stories about Trump before the 2016 election. This was part of the prosecution's argument that the payments to Stormy Daniels were not just hush money but were made to interfere with the election.

  • How did the jury's deliberation process unfold?

    -The jury deliberated for approximately 10 hours over two days. They requested rereads of certain testimonies and clarification on the law, indicating careful consideration of the evidence and legal standards.

  • What is the impact of this verdict on the upcoming presidential election?

    -The verdict could have significant implications for the presidential election. It may energize Trump's supporters or potentially sway undecided voters. However, the exact impact is uncertain and will likely depend on subsequent legal developments and political reactions.

  • What are the possible grounds for appeal that Donald Trump's legal team might use?

    -The grounds for appeal could include questions about the jury instructions, the statute under which the case was brought, and potential due process issues. The defense might argue that the case should never have been brought or that there were errors in the legal process.

  • How did Donald Trump and his team respond to the verdict?

    -Donald Trump and his team responded to the verdict by calling it a 'rigged trial' and 'disgrace.' They plan to appeal the decision and have signaled that they will use this as a political weapon against President Biden and the justice system.

  • What is the role of the Supreme Court in this case?

    -The Supreme Court is not directly involved in this case, as it is a state-level prosecution. However, the court has issued rulings in other state cases and could potentially be involved if the case were to be appealed through the state appeals process and then to the Supreme Court for a decision on whether to hear the case.

Outlines

00:00

📣 Breaking News: Trump Found Guilty in Unprecedented Criminal Trial

In a historic first, former President Donald Trump has been found guilty on all 34 felony counts of falsifying business records in a case related to hush money payments to adult film star Stormy Daniels. The trial, presided over by Judge Merchan in the Manhattan Criminal Courthouse, has concluded with a unanimous verdict from the jury after 10 hours of deliberation. The charges stem from payments made to conceal damaging information during the 2016 presidential election. Each felony count carries a potential sentence of up to 4 years in prison and a $5,000 fine. The sentencing is set for July 11th, just days before the Republican National Convention. The verdict has significant implications for Trump's political future and the upcoming presidential campaign against President Joe Biden.

05:03

🏛️ Legal and Political Implications of Trump's Conviction

The conviction of Donald Trump marks a turning point in American legal and political history. The swift verdict by the jury, after only 10 hours of deliberation, suggests a strong case presented by the prosecution. Legal experts, including former Manhattan assistant district attorney Rebecca Royi and criminal defense attorney Caroline Pelosi, weigh in on the potential outcomes, with the judge having discretion over the sentencing. Trump's conviction could lead to jail time, probation, or fines. The case has been portrayed by Trump and his supporters as politically motivated, and the verdict is expected to energize his base. The impact on the Republican Party and the presidential campaign is yet to be seen, with some predicting a burst of energy for Trump's campaign if acquitted, and a convulsive reaction if convicted.

10:04

🗝️ The Role of the 2015 Trump Tower Meeting in the Verdict

A pivotal moment in the case was the 2015 Trump Tower meeting involving David Pecker, former publisher of the National Enquirer, and Michael Cohen, who acted as a fixer for Trump. The jury requested re-reads of this testimony, which is considered central to the prosecution's argument that Trump was involved in a 'catch and kill' scheme to bury scandalous stories before the 2016 election. This meeting is seen as the origin of a conspiracy to violate election law through unlawful means, thus elevating what was initially a misdemeanor to a felony crime. The verdict's swiftness indicates that the jury found the evidence and testimony compelling, leading to a guilty verdict on all counts.

15:06

🚨 Trump's Reaction and the Road to Sentencing

Following the verdict, Donald Trump expressed his anger and disappointment, calling the trial 'rigged' and 'disgraceful.' He claimed that the trial was politically motivated by the Biden Administration and vowed to fight the conviction. Trump's sentencing is set for July 11th, a date that falls just before the Republican National Convention. The outcome of the sentencing could have significant ramifications for Trump's eligibility to run for office and his political future. The conviction and the upcoming sentencing have heightened tensions and are expected to be a major point of contention in the political landscape leading up to the November elections.

20:07

🎖️ The Justice System's Victory and Trump's Appeal Plans

The conviction of a former president is a significant moment for the American justice system, demonstrating its ability to hold even the highest office holders accountable. Legal experts, including former Manhattan district attorney Cyrus Vance, praised the work of the assistant district attorneys and the jury for their handling of the case. Trump's team is planning to appeal the decision, with the process potentially reaching the Supreme Court. The appeals process is expected to be lengthy and could continue beyond the November elections. Trump's conviction and the subsequent legal battles are likely to remain a major political issue, influencing the presidential campaign and the country's perception of institutional norms.

25:09

🗳️ The Impact on the Presidential Election and Trump's Campaign Strategy

The verdict's impact on the upcoming presidential election is a key focus. While Trump's conviction does not prevent him from running for office, it introduces new dynamics into the political campaign. Trump's campaign is expected to center on grievance, using the conviction as a rallying point for his base. The Republican Party, including key figures like House Speaker Mike Johnson, has shown support for Trump, indicating that they will continue to back him despite the conviction. The sentencing date's proximity to the Republican National Convention adds an extra layer of complexity to the political landscape. The Biden campaign, meanwhile, is expected to maintain a focus on issues such as the economy, abortion rights, and corporate greed, while also addressing the verdict's implications for democracy.

30:10

🛡️ The Potential Sentence and Its Political and Legal Consequences

The wide-ranging implications of the potential sentence for Trump are discussed, with experts suggesting that while jail time is a possibility, it may not be the most likely outcome. The judge has significant discretion in sentencing, which could include probation, fines, or home confinement. The decision is expected to consider Trump's age, status as a first-time offender, and the nature of the offenses. The sentencing could have profound effects on the presidential campaign, with Trump potentially campaigning as a convicted felon. The verdict and sentencing also raise constitutional and legal questions about the ability of a president to pardon themselves for state crimes, which Trump cannot do in this case.

35:11

🏢 The Business and Legal Fallout for Trump and His Organization

The trial and its outcome have broader implications beyond the political sphere, affecting Trump's business dealings and the legal standing of his organization. The conviction could lead to increased scrutiny and potential legal repercussions for the Trump Organization, which was implicated in the falsification of business records. The trial has highlighted the organization's involvement in the payments to Stormy Daniels and the subsequent cover-up, which may have long-term effects on its reputation and operations.

40:13

🌐 Public Reaction and the Polarized Views on Trump's Conviction

The public reaction to Trump's conviction is deeply polarized, reflecting the nation's divided political climate. Some view the verdict as a validation of the justice system and a sign of accountability, while others see it as a politically motivated attack on Trump. The reaction is likely to be influenced by pre-existing opinions on Trump and his presidency, with supporters rallying behind him and opponents finding solace in the verdict. The polarization is expected to intensify in the aftermath of the sentencing and as the presidential campaign progresses.

45:14

🏛️ The Supreme Court's Role in Trump's Legal Battles

The Supreme Court's potential involvement in Trump's legal challenges is discussed, with the court currently considering two cases involving Trump's attempts to overturn the 2020 election. The court is expected to decide on whether Trump has absolute immunity from prosecution for these actions. A decision from the Supreme Court could further impact Trump's legal situation and the political narrative surrounding his presidency and the upcoming election.

50:16

🎉 The Republican National Convention and Trump's Future as the GOP Nominee

The Republican National Convention looms as a critical event in the political calendar, with Trump's sentencing scheduled just days before its commencement. The convention will determine the GOP's presidential nominee, and Trump's conviction could influence the party's strategy and messaging. Despite the conviction, Trump remains the presumptive Republican nominee, with the party largely standing behind him. The convention is expected to be a contentious event, with Trump's legal troubles and the upcoming election at the forefront of discussions.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Criminal Trial

A criminal trial is a legal proceeding in which a person accused of committing a crime is tried in a court of law. In the video, the former president Donald Trump is undergoing a criminal trial for the first time in U.S. history, facing 34 felony counts of falsifying business records. This trial is significant as it marks the first time a former U.S. president has faced such charges.

💡Donald Trump

Donald Trump is the 45th president of the United States who is facing 34 felony counts related to falsifying business records. The video centers around his unprecedented trial and the implications of the jury's verdict, which could potentially lead to prison time or affect his political career.

💡Falsifying Business Records

Falsifying business records involves altering, fabricating, or misrepresenting financial documents to conceal illegal activities or mislead stakeholders. In Trump's case, these charges are tied to hush money payments made to adult film star Stormy Daniels, which were allegedly recorded as legal expenses to hide damaging information during the 2016 presidential election.

💡Hush Money Payments

Hush money payments are sums of money given to individuals to ensure their silence about certain information. The payments in question were made to Stormy Daniels, allegedly to prevent her from disclosing an affair with Trump before the 2016 election. This concept is central to the charges against Trump, as prosecutors argue it was part of an attempt to influence the election.

💡Stormy Daniels

Stormy Daniels is an adult film star who received hush money payments from Donald Trump. Her involvement is crucial to the case as these payments are at the heart of the falsifying business records charges. The payments were allegedly made to prevent her from speaking out about an affair with Trump, which prosecutors claim was intended to protect his presidential campaign.

💡Jury Deliberation

Jury deliberation is the process by which a jury discusses the evidence and arguments presented in a trial to reach a verdict. In this case, the jury spent 10 hours over two days deliberating before finding Trump guilty on all counts. The speed and outcome of their deliberation are notable, suggesting a strong case presented by the prosecution.

💡Guilty Verdict

A guilty verdict is a decision by a jury that the defendant is responsible for the crime they were charged with. Donald Trump was found guilty on all 34 counts of falsifying business records, a historic and unprecedented event for a former U.S. president. This verdict has significant legal and political implications.

💡Political Implications

Political implications refer to the effects that legal decisions or events can have on the political landscape. Trump's guilty verdict could affect his ability to campaign for the 2024 presidential election, influence voter opinions, and impact the Republican Party's strategy. The video discusses the potential reactions and consequences within the political arena.

💡Sentencing

Sentencing is the judicial determination of a punishment for a convicted person. In Trump's case, the judge has discretion over whether he will face prison time, probation, or fines. The video mentions that Trump's sentencing is scheduled for July 11th, just days before the Republican National Convention, adding to the event's significance.

💡Appeal

An appeal is a legal process in which a convicted person seeks a higher court's review of their case, aiming to overturn the verdict or reduce the sentence. Trump's team plans to appeal the guilty verdict, arguing various legal points. This process could extend the legal battle and maintain his claims of being unfairly targeted.

Highlights

Donald Trump found guilty on all 34 counts of falsifying business records, marking the first criminal conviction of a former U.S. president.

The charges are related to hush money payments made to adult film star Stormy Daniels during the 2016 presidential election.

Prosecutors argued that the payments were part of a scheme to conceal damaging information from the voting public.

Each felony count carries a potential sentence of up to 4 years in prison and a $5,000 fine.

The jury deliberated for approximately 10 hours over two days before reaching a unanimous verdict.

The trial focused on a 2015 meeting between David Pecker, former publisher of the National Enquirer, and Michael Cohen, a key witness for the prosecution.

Jurors requested rereads of testimony and clarification on the legal definition of 'infer' and the weight of Michael Cohen's testimony as an accomplice.

Legal experts suggest that a swift verdict is typically a positive sign for the prosecution.

The verdict comes during a presidential campaign where Trump is the Republican nominee.

Trump's defense team is planning to appeal the decision and mount a grievance war across the country.

Trump's conviction could influence the upcoming Republican National Convention and the presidential election.

Former President Trump has been accused of violating a gag order 10 times during the trial.

Trump's sentencing is scheduled for July 11th, just 4 days before the Republican National Convention.

President Biden released a statement emphasizing that no one is above the law and that the American people will have the final say in November.

Trump claimed the trial was rigged and politically motivated by the Biden Administration.

Legal analysts and former prosecutors discuss potential outcomes, including the possibility of probation or fines instead of jail time.

The White House and Biden's campaign are expected to maintain a modest reaction, focusing on issues like the economy and abortion rights.

The conviction's impact on public opinion and the upcoming elections remains uncertain.

Transcripts

00:10

this is a CBS News special report I'm

00:12

Nora odonnell in Washington and we are

00:14

coming on the air with breaking news

00:16

from the first criminal trial of a

00:17

former president in the US that is

00:19

Donald Trump we have just learned that

00:22

the verdict is in after sitting silently

00:25

through 22 Witnesses over 16 days of

00:28

testimony the juror's verdict would ever

00:30

it is will be unprecedented just to

00:32

remind everybody Donald Trump is charged

00:34

with 34 felony counts of falsifying

00:38

business records all tied to those hush

00:40

money payments made to adult film star

00:43

Stormy Daniels prosecutors claim that

00:46

the payments were part of an elaborate

00:47

scheme to quote conceal crimes that hid

00:50

damaging information from the voting

00:52

public during the 2016 presidential

00:55

election now what about these felonies

00:57

well each felony carries a potential

00:59

Cent s of up to 4 years in prison and a

01:03

$5,000 fine now if Donald Trump is

01:07

convicted prison time is not certain

01:09

that will be up to the judge during the

01:12

sentencing let's go right now to Chief

01:14

election campaign correspondent Robert

01:16

Costa who has been inside the courthouse

01:18

today and Robert what do we

01:21

know good to be with you Nora it is an

01:24

unreal scene here outside the Manhattan

01:27

Criminal Courthouse you can hear the

01:28

helicopters above police officers

01:31

everywhere bracing for this verdict to

01:33

be revealed by the jury which has been

01:35

deliberating all day based on our

01:38

reporting at CBS News the jury has

01:40

zeroed in on documents and testimony

01:43

about a key 2015 meeting between David

01:46

pecker the former publisher of the

01:48

national inquire and longtime fixer

01:50

Michael Cohen who was a crucial witness

01:52

for the prosecution the jury is wanting

01:54

to go over this testimony to figure out

01:57

was Trump directly involved in the

02:00

called catch and kill scheme to bury

02:02

scandalous stories about Trump before

02:04

the 2016 election we also know the jury

02:07

wants to know more about that underlying

02:09

crime the prosecution has been arguing

02:11

about for the past 7 weeks that this

02:13

wasn't just about so-called hush money

02:15

payments made to adult film star Stormy

02:17

Daniels it was about something bigger

02:19

about interfering in the 2016 election

02:22

by deliberately labeling these payments

02:24

as legal expenses and withholding

02:26

information from American voters it's a

02:29

very important Point Robert as the

02:31

district attorney in this case said from

02:34

the very beginning in his words this is

02:37

not a case about money for sex it's

02:39

about conspiring to corrupt a

02:41

presidential election and then lying on

02:44

business records to cover it up but the

02:47

question for those 12 members of the

02:50

jury uh was the intent question and so

02:53

that's what they have worked out on what

02:55

we estimate to be about 10 hours of

02:57

deliberation Robert I also understand

02:59

from our team of reporters that are

03:01

still inside the courtroom that Trump is

03:04

sitting with his arms crossed he's

03:06

pouting he's staring at the judge and it

03:09

feels tense inside the courtroom you've

03:12

watched Donald Trump over these past 6

03:15

weeks and have been in close contact

03:17

with officials close to him what has

03:19

been his mood his demeanor how would you

03:22

characterize this moment

03:25

is Nora I can't underscore the drama of

03:29

the past 15 minutes it was just 15 20

03:31

minutes ago that many people inside the

03:34

courthouse behind me including our own

03:35

reporters members of the Trump team

03:37

members of the prosecution believe the

03:39

jury would be deliberating till about

03:41

4:30 this afternoon and then break and

03:44

then resume deliberations on Friday then

03:47

a sudden turn a verdict was made a

03:49

verdict was decided it has not yet been

03:52

revealed everyone called back into the

03:54

courtroom Trump was confident all day we

03:56

saw him mingling with his staff talking

03:59

to family memb in the holding room as

04:01

they waited for the deliberations to be

04:02

over he has to be here at the court as

04:05

the jury deliberates but he was in an

04:07

upbeat mood that has turned the verdict

04:09

is now coming and this is more than just

04:11

a legal battle for former president

04:14

Donald Trump he is the first former

04:16

president of the United States any

04:18

American president to face a historic

04:21

criminal trial and this comes in the

04:23

middle of a presidential campaign

04:25

against President Joe Biden whose

04:27

campaign has been here in recent days in

04:29

lower Manhattan everything's on the line

04:32

right now for Trump the former president

04:34

of the United States will he serve jail

04:37

time if there is a guilty verdict he

04:39

could get probation but a prison

04:41

sentence is possible and this is someone

04:43

who just said minutes ago to reporters

04:46

he wants to campaign and this has

04:48

already been a burden a real political

04:50

cost for him costing him

04:52

time Robert Costa thank you and we

04:55

should note that the picture you are

04:57

looking at right now is a live picture

04:59

from right outside the courtroom where

05:02

we have seen Donald Trump appear some

05:05

days at the end of the trial or before

05:07

to make statements about what he has

05:09

called a Witch Hunt going on inside want

05:12

to bring in our chief Washington

05:13

correspondent Major Garrett uh we've

05:16

been to places in history that we've

05:17

never been before with Donald Trump

05:19

twice impeached uh now is likely to

05:21

become or could become I should say the

05:24

first president tried in a criminal

05:26

trial to either be acquitted and found

05:28

not guilty or guilty we just have been

05:30

here before in this what are the stakes

05:32

for Donald Trump as he is the Republican

05:34

party's nominee right to pick up on

05:36

Robert Costa's point it's not just that

05:38

he's a former president Nora he's the

05:41

Republican nominee in Waiting in an

05:43

active presidential campaign shadowed as

05:46

he has been for months now by criminal

05:49

indictments we're now going to have

05:51

probably the only verdict on any of the

05:53

pending criminal DS before the election

05:56

if he's acquitted most people I've

05:58

talked to in the Trump universe believe

06:00

there will be a burst of energy around

06:01

the former president in a very positive

06:03

political way if he's convicted they

06:06

believe those in the Trump inter circle

06:07

that this will be convulsive for the

06:09

country because at least a third of the

06:11

country Nora and maybe more than a third

06:13

believe this entire case should never

06:15

have been brought in the first place

06:17

agree entirely with the former

06:18

president's orientation to this that

06:21

others looked at this and didn't seek to

06:23

prosecute this that this is a legal

06:26

reach to take a business records case

06:28

attach it to a felony in a campaign

06:32

context which has never been prosecuted

06:34

before in New York they agree with that

06:37

orientation to this and if he's

06:39

convicted those in the Trump Inner

06:41

Circle predict a convulsive reaction

06:45

however there will be a part of this

06:47

country Norah that will say if the

06:49

former president is convicted there is

06:51

now finally some institutional

06:53

accountability for someone who has been

06:55

toppling or at least attempting to

06:56

topple all sorts of institutional Norms

06:59

in this country

07:00

I can't give you an assessment of the

07:02

actual point BYO number by number

07:05

political reaction to this but we are in

07:07

a fraught moment in American history a

07:09

lot of things hang in the balance not

07:11

just for former president Trump but the

07:13

Republican Party the Democratic party

07:16

President Biden and our sense of

07:17

institutional permanence and Norms no

07:21

doubt and this is day two to remind

07:23

everybody of the jury deliberations and

07:26

just a short time ago we got word from

07:27

the judge that a verdict was in judge

07:30

merchan saying the jury has a verdict

07:32

but we would like an extra 30 minutes to

07:34

fill out forms if that is possible want

07:37

to bring in a former Manhattan assistant

07:39

district attorney and CBS News legal

07:41

contributor Rebecca royi she joins us

07:44

now and Rebecca this 30 minutes of

07:47

course everyone is waiting to hear what

07:50

this jury has decided first 10 hours

07:54

over two days the number of questions

07:56

that they asked to get clarification on

07:59

what do you think that tells us about

08:01

how this jury may be

08:04

leaning you know it's always impossible

08:06

to know what a jury has decided until

08:09

that verdict is actually read however

08:12

this was an incredibly quick

08:14

deliberation over two days as you said

08:17

only about 10 hours of deliberation it

08:19

looks like the jury was thinking

08:21

carefully about the testimony and about

08:23

the elements that needed to be proved

08:25

Beyond A Reasonable Doubt but you know

08:28

generally speaking when verdicts are

08:30

rendered this quickly it usually is a

08:33

sign that is positive for the

08:35

prosecution because it normally takes

08:37

far longer for 12 jurors to agree to qu

08:40

acquit than this short amount of time

08:43

but of course really that is pure

08:45

speculation at this point let's also

08:48

bring in Caroline Pelosi she is the

08:50

criminal defense attorney and lecturer

08:52

in law at Columbia Law School and

08:54

Caroline good to talk to you just on

08:57

this matter falsifying business records

08:59

in New York that is a misdemeanor but it

09:01

was can be elevated if in fact intent

09:04

was used to conceal another crime that's

09:07

why this case is relevant because the

09:09

prosecutors made the case that there was

09:11

intent of course a campaign Finance

09:14

violation is their words that said it

09:16

could have tipped the election what do

09:18

you see that the jury has come back so

09:20

quickly that's right I I really do agree

09:22

with Rebecca I think the Swift nature of

09:25

this verdict and the fact that we didn't

09:27

get any other notes from saying we're

09:30

having trouble coming up with a

09:31

unanimous verdict something of that

09:33

nature we were bracing ourselves for

09:35

something along those lines I agree this

09:38

feels like guilty verdicts are on the

09:41

way um the object crime that you're

09:43

talking about there is a New York state

09:45

conspiracy to violate uh election law

09:48

and and that is by influencing an

09:50

election through unlawful means and you

09:53

know we saw that the jurors requested

09:55

rereads of testimony David Pecker's

09:57

testimony regarding that 2015

10:00

Trump Tower meeting in which the

10:02

prosecution alleged this plan this

10:04

conspiracy was hatched so I think that

10:07

that we are seeing sort of the pieces of

10:09

the puzzle come together for that object

10:11

crime making this what was uh in one

10:14

case a misdemeanor now a felony crime

10:17

falsification of the records in

10:18

furtherance of hiding this state uh New

10:21

York state election law

10:23

conspiracy any moment now we could get

10:26

the verdict in this case against Donald

10:29

J Trump these 34 felony counts the jury

10:33

had asked for an additional 30 minutes

10:34

that time has passed so we are on

10:37

standby to find out what these seven men

10:40

and five women have decided in this case

10:44

there are also we should note two

10:45

lawyers who were on this jury as well

10:47

let's bring in Jan Crawford who is our

10:50

chief legal correspondent also covers

10:52

the Supreme Court what do you see about

10:54

today as we await this verdict well I

10:56

mean following up on major's point I

10:58

think what is so extraord Aries this was

11:00

kind of seen as maybe the weakest of the

11:02

cases that could have been brought

11:04

against former president Trump the main

11:06

case being of course potentially the

11:08

prosecution for his attempts to uh

11:11

overthrow the 2020 election that case uh

11:14

has kind of ground to a halt uh as it is

11:16

now before the Supreme Court on whether

11:18

or not he is absolutely immune from

11:20

prosecution there we're waiting a

11:22

decision from the court which could

11:24

determine whether that trial will go

11:26

forward it could be potential

11:30

uh impossible for that prosecution so we

11:33

could be in a situation where out of all

11:34

the cases the classified documents case

11:37

at the January 6th potential prosecution

11:39

in this case this could end up being the

11:43

only case against former president Trump

11:45

to go to trial and potentially Merit a

11:47

conviction and to Major's Point uh that

11:50

could um land in ways that we cannot

11:54

possibly imagine a former president um

11:57

being convicted on charg that are novel

12:00

In some cases uh considered Weak by many

12:03

legal commentators and multiple grounds

12:06

for the president to argue on statutory

12:09

and constitutional grounds uh that he is

12:11

going to appeal this and fight it in the

12:14

appell at courts Donald Trump and his

12:16

attorneys are in the courtroom the judge

12:18

is in the courtroom the jury is being

12:19

brought in we are just minutes or

12:22

seconds away from a verdict and of

12:24

course as soon as we know that

12:26

information we will share it with you I

12:29

think one of the key questions Blackley

12:31

um that our viewers may have if Donald

12:34

Trump is a convicted felon he can still

12:38

run for president does it mean he will

12:40

go to

12:41

jail we don't know because the judge has

12:44

discretion as a matter of fact in the

12:46

closing arguments but he could former

12:49

for yes he could I mean that's that's

12:50

out there on the table but in the

12:52

closing arguments former president

12:54

Trump's attorney lead

12:56

attorney was harshly criticized by the

12:59

judge for injecting into his closing

13:01

argument something that defense

13:03

attorneys know they shouldn't inject

13:04

which is you can't send a former

13:06

president to jail over this and the

13:08

judge said wait a minute you can't talk

13:10

about that first of all it's a

13:11

discretion in my hands and second of all

13:14

you can't talk to a jury that way in

13:15

your close but the former president's

13:18

legal council injected that I believe as

13:21

a safe harbor to tell the jury the

13:23

stakes are so high tactically I believe

13:25

the jury knew that going in the jury has

13:27

known from day one the stakes are

13:29

enormously High one other point talking

13:32

about this 2015 meeting in Trump Tower

13:35

the prosecution said that's where this

13:37

began and it took on incredible

13:39

relevance in the final weeks of The

13:41

Campaign which I remember vividly nor

13:43

because I was covering it day by day

13:45

when the status of Donald Trump as the

13:48

Republican Party nominee was thrown into

13:50

great distress by the Access Hollywood

13:53

tape and everything that flowed from I

13:55

think it's very important that you bring

13:56

this up because people say I don't

13:58

understand why this is relev this

13:59

relationship that they had 18 years ago

14:01

why is this coming up now again because

14:03

it was October was when the Access

14:06

Hollywood tape came out Donald Trump's

14:08

team was worried that this would

14:09

completely derail his chances in beating

14:11

Hillary Clinton this the motivation to

14:14

squash lots of behind the scenes

14:16

conversations about is there an

14:18

alternative should Mike Pence become the

14:19

nominee for the one and only time in

14:22

that campaign or his presidency or his

14:24

post-presidency Donald Trump publicly

14:27

apologized he record what was described

14:30

in gallows humor by Trump AIDs that time

14:32

as a hostage video to say I'm sorry for

14:35

this for this locker room talk that

14:37

shows the depth of distress within the

14:39

Trump campaign over that particular time

14:42

and the Stormy Daniels story if it had

14:45

been confirmed and verified in that real

14:47

time the Trump campaign had every reason

14:49

to believe that could have been not only

14:51

damaging Nora but potentially fatal in

14:54

that Clos in the closing hours closing

14:57

weeks of that campaign we are just

14:58

moments away from a verdict in the case

15:02

against Donald Trump I want to bring in

15:03

Erol Bernett who is outside the

15:05

courtroom you can see a lot of the

15:07

activity though where arrol is a lot of

15:09

the police activity and arrol remind us

15:11

what some of the questions were that the

15:13

jury had today in terms of

15:17

clarification Nora that's what's so

15:19

interesting it was yesterday after only

15:21

approximately 4 hours of deliberating

15:23

that the jurors had notes for the judge

15:26

they needed instruction from the judge

15:28

on what it meant to infer something they

15:31

also wanted instructions as to how to

15:34

Value Michael Cohen's testimony

15:36

considering he was an accomplice to this

15:38

alleged crime they also wanted four