Judge Juan Merchan has completed re-reading the portions of the jury instructions that were requested by the jurors in the ongoing trial involving former President Donald Trump. The judge emphasized the importance of the jury's role in carefully considering the evidence presented during the trial.
Merchan reiterated to the jurors that if they find the prosecution has proven beyond a reasonable doubt each of the required elements of the crime, they must find the defendant guilty. Conversely, if the prosecution has not met the burden of proof for any of the elements, the jurors must find the defendant not guilty.
Following the conclusion of the reading of the jury instructions, Trump reportedly wrote a note and passed it to his attorney, Todd Blanche. The contents of the note were not disclosed to the public, but it is clear that the defense team is actively engaged in the proceedings.
The trial has garnered significant attention due to the high-profile nature of the defendant, and the outcome will have far-reaching implications. The judge's instructions serve as a crucial guide for the jurors as they deliberate and ultimately reach a verdict in this closely watched case.