Jeremy Stahl from Slate discusses former President Trump's historic guilty verdict on 34 felony counts in his hush money trial, explaining the jury's decision, what comes next, and the likelihood of Trump going to jail. The podcast explores the impact of the verdict on accountability, the rule of law, and the upcoming election.
Former President Trump was convicted on 34 counts of falsifying business records and concealing a scheme to interfere with the 2016 election, leading to a unanimous guilty verdict by a Manhattan jury.
Despite the possibility of a lengthy prison term for Trump, logistical challenges and the appeals process are expected to delay any potential imprisonment, highlighting the complexities and uncertainties in enforcing the legal consequences of his conviction.
Deep dives
Donald Trump Convicted on 34 Counts of Falsifying Business Records
Former president Donald J. Trump was convicted on 34 counts of falsifying business records, concealing a scheme aimed at interfering with the 2016 election. The jury deliberated for about 12 hours over two days, leading to a unanimous decision beyond a reasonable doubt. Trump's sentencing is set for July 11th, facing a maximum penalty of four years in prison per count.
Upcoming Steps and Potential Appeals for Donald Trump
The next significant date in Trump's case is July 11th, which marks his sentencing. While the maximum penalty could result in a lengthy prison term, logistical challenges make such a scenario unlikely. The appeals process is expected to take up to a year, delaying any potential imprisonment. Trump's history of misconduct and attacks on the court may influence the enforcement of any probation or home confinement.
Critical Role of Ordinary Jurors in Trump's Conviction
The episode highlights the pivotal role of ordinary jurors in Trump's conviction, emphasizing the power of the American jury system. Despite the case's complexity, the jurors demonstrated a deep sense of responsibility, attentiveness, and seriousness during the trial and deliberations. Their commitment to rendering a just verdict showcased the effectiveness and integrity of the legal process, providing a significant vindication of the nation's legal system.
After six weeks of arguments and testimony and a little under 12 hours of deliberation, a Manhattan jury voted to convict former President Trump of 34 felony counts in his hush money trial. Dahlia Lithwick is joined by Slate’s jurisprudence editor Jeremy Stahl, who was in court for the historic guilty verdict and has followed the case over the past six weeks, to talk about how the verdict was reached, what comes next, and why the former President is unlikely to be headed to jail any time soon.