New York’s trial of former President Donald Trump took a surprising turn that left experts baffled and led one CNN analyst to call the proceedings “crazy.” The focus was on Judge Juan Merchan’s management of crucial jury instructions as the case moved towards deliberation. The trial revolves around 34 counts of falsified business records linked to an alleged hush money payment to adult film actor Stormy Daniels.
The trial, which has captivated national attention due to its high-profile defendant, saw its jury instructions concluded on Wednesday morning. After a brief sidebar between Judge Merchan and the lawyers, the jury was sent off to begin deliberations, marking what many consider an unprecedented legal confrontation.
David Oscar Markus, an experienced criminal defense attorney, expressed his disbelief on CNN over the judge’s actions during this vital phase. “The jury must be overwhelmed,” Markus said. “To have all of these instructions just read to them without them getting a copy is going to be overwhelming for them.”
Typically, jurors receive a written copy of the instructions to refer to during their deliberations. However, in this trial, they will rely solely on their notes and the option to ask for the instructions to be reread, a scenario Markus heavily criticized. “It’s crazy that the lawyers were not able to discuss the instructions in their closings yesterday,” he added. “Typically, lawyers can go through the instructions and explain why they’ve met them or why the government hasn’t met them.”
WATCH:
An attorney on CNN can't believe how Judge Merchan handled jury instructions
"The jury must be overwhelmed. To have all of these instructions read to them without them getting a copy… the lawyers were not able to discuss instructions in their closings… which I find bizarre" pic.twitter.com/dsiH6YNosK
— johnny maga (@_johnnymaga) May 29, 2024
The lack of a critical discussion phase means jurors must piece together the legal puzzle on their own, a daunting task given the complexity and significance of the case. “The jurors right now must be wondering what all this is about,” Markus explained.
During the jury instructions, Judge Merchan spent over an hour explaining the relevant laws, reminding jurors to set aside personal biases. Importantly, he noted that the burden of proof lies with the prosecution, not the defense, which does not need to prove Trump’s innocence. The jury, confined to the jury room during deliberations, will have no access to cell phones and can only deliberate when all members are present. They will discuss the case only among themselves, without any outside influence, even from the court officer. If they have questions, they will write a note to the judge, who cannot discuss the facts of the case but will facilitate the legal process as needed.
Since leaving the courtroom, Trump has been active on Truth Social, posting over 20 times. Each post featured quotes from commentators supporting his stance or criticizing the proceedings. In one notable post, Trump vented his frustration with the charges, writing, “Mother Teresa could not beat these charges. These charges are rigged. The whole thing is rigged!”
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