Judge Juan Merchan is currently providing the 12-person jury with instructions on the law, their duties, and the charges they must consider in the case against Donald Trump. The jury, composed of New Yorkers, will soon begin deliberating on a verdict.
During the proceedings, Judge Merchan stated, 'Members of the jury, I will now instruct you on the law.' He anticipates that his instructions will take approximately an hour to complete.
The prosecution has accused the former president of engaging in 'a conspiracy and a cover-up,' alleging that he falsified financial records to conceal a hush money payment made to adult film star Stormy Daniels prior to the 2016 election. Trump has denied any wrongdoing, including having an affair with Daniels, and has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
This trial marks the first of four impending criminal cases against Trump, with the possibility that it may be the only one to reach trial before the upcoming November election. To secure a conviction, the jurors must determine whether Trump falsified financial documents and did so with the intent of committing another crime.
