The jury in former President Donald Trump’s “hush money” case in New York has begun deliberations over the 34 felony counts he faces, leaving the country bracing for a verdict in the first trial of a former president in U.S. history.
The 12 Manhattan residents are tasked with reaching a unanimous decision on each of the counts charging Trump with falsification of business records.
Before jurors got the case on Wednesday, Justice Juan Merchan, the judge overseeing the trial, issued crucial instructions laying out the legal issues they must consider and the conclusions they must reach if they intend to find Trump guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. He advised them to disregard any bias they may have for or against Trump.
“Jurors, you will recall that during jury selection you agreed that you must set aside any opinions or bias you have in favor of or against the defendant and if you decide this case against the evidence and the law,” the judge said. “You must set aside any opinions and bias and you must not allow any opinion or bias to influence your verdict.”
Prosecutors allege he disguised the purpose of a year’s worth of reimbursements to his attorney Michael Cohen, who paid $130,000 in “hush money” to adult film star Stormy Daniels before the 2016 election. Trump has pleaded not guilty.