In a historic verdict, a New York jury found former President Donald Trump guilty on all 34 charges of falsifying business records.
This marks the first time a former U.S. President has been convicted of a crime, according to NBC News.
The trial began on April 15, and the verdict was delivered in a Manhattan courtroom. Trump, who had pleaded not guilty, faced charges related to a hush-money payment made by his former lawyer, Michael Cohen, to adult film star, Stormy Daniels, during the final weeks of the 2016 presidential campaign.
NBC News reported that Trump appeared tense and looked down as the jury foreperson declared him guilty on each count. The jury reached their decision after 9.5 hours of deliberation, which started on Wednesday.
Trump, who is the presumed Republican nominee for the upcoming presidential election, will be sentenced in July. This conviction makes him the first former U.S. President to face criminal charges.
Judge Juan Merchan thanked the jurors for their dedication throughout the lengthy trial. “You gave this matter the attention it deserved, and I want to thank you for that,” he said, according to NBC News.
After the jury left, Trump’s attorney, Todd Blanche, requested an acquittal, but the judge denied the motion.
Prosecutor Joshua Steinglass emphasized in his closing arguments that “the law is the law and it applies to everyone equally. There is no special standard for this defendant.”
He urged the jury to hold Trump accountable, stating, “The law is the law and it applies to everyone equally. There is no special standard for this defendant.”
