NEW YORK (AP) — Jury deliberations started in Donald Trump’s criminal hush money trial after the panel sent their first two notes to the judge on Wednesday afternoon, shortly after beginning deliberations.
Requests were made to re-hear jury instructions and previous testimonies from key witnesses like former National Enquirer publisher David Pecker and Michael Cohen regarding the August 2015 Trump Tower meeting. Testimonies related to a phone call between Pecker and Trump, decisions regarding Karen McDougal’s story, and payments to Cohen were among the requested materials.
Deliberations will resume on Thursday morning as Judge Juan M. Merchan gathers the requested testimonies and prepares to present them to the jury.
Additionally, Tuesday’s closing arguments were highlighted as a whirlwind of accusations and counterarguments.
Notably, the heart of the charges revolve around reimbursements made to Cohen for hush money paid to Stormy Daniels, falsely recorded as “legal expenses.” Prosecutors contend that these transactions aimed to conceal the true nature of the payments.
The trial marks a significant development as it is the first of Trump’s four indictments to reach trial, and the first-ever criminal case against a former U.S. president.
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COURT ADJOURNS FOR THE DAY
Day one of deliberations in Donald Trump’s hush money trial concluded with court adjourned for the day. Proceedings will resume on Thursday at 9:30 a.m.
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