President-elect Donald Trump's legal team has introduced a new claim in their efforts to overturn his hush money conviction, asserting that the verdict was tainted by juror misconduct. The defense alleges that there is evidence of serious juror misconduct during the trial, although specific details of the allegations have been redacted from public view.
The Manhattan district attorney's office, which prosecuted the hush money case, has dismissed the defense's claims as hearsay and an attempt to undermine public confidence in the case. Prosecutors argue that the defense's allegations are unsworn and unsupported, and they question the defense's reluctance to have a court hearing to thoroughly examine the claims of juror misconduct.
Manhattan Judge Juan M. Merchan is currently reviewing a defense request to dismiss the case in light of Trump's upcoming return to the White House. The defense has raised concerns about the potential impact of a court hearing on the president-elect's transition into office.
Merchan emphasized the importance of thoroughly investigating allegations of juror misconduct but noted that the court cannot make decisions based on hearsay and conjecture. Trump has been fighting to reverse his conviction on charges related to concealing a hush money payment to porn actor Stormy Daniels before the 2016 election.
Despite Trump's immunity claim being rejected by Merchan, the legal battle continues as both sides propose different paths forward. Prosecutors have suggested freezing the case until Trump leaves office in 2029 or considering alternative sentencing options. Trump's lawyers have objected to these proposals, labeling some as 'absurd.'
As Trump prepares to take office on January 20, the legal proceedings surrounding his hush money case remain ongoing. The case marks a unique situation as Trump is the first former president to be convicted of a felony and the first convicted criminal to be elected to the office.
