Hush Money Trial: Closing Arguments Are Over, Now Jurors Deliberate
May 29, 2024
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Harry Litman, legal expert, discusses the intense closing arguments in Trump's hush money trial. DNC plans virtual roll call for Biden. Severe storms kill dozens in US. Pentagon to repair pier for Gaza aid. Exciting and informative podcast episode!
Defense emphasized discrediting key witness, while prosecution framed Hush Money as voter deception.
Jury dynamics and pressure for unanimous decision highlighted, with potential impact on verdict outcome.
Deep dives
Trump's Trial: Closing Arguments and Jury Deliberations
In the podcast episode, the first main point discussed was the final stretch of the criminal trial against former President Donald Trump. The defense attorney, Todd Blanche, delivered closing arguments focusing on discrediting key witness Michael Cohen. The prosecution, led by Assistant DA Joshua Steinglass, characterized the Hush Money payments as an attempt to deceive voters. The episode detailed the intensity of the courtroom proceedings which extended late into the evening, culminating in the jury's deliberations.
Juror Concerns and Verdict Timeline
The second key point highlighted the dynamics within the jury during deliberations. The episode mentioned a juror showing subtle signs of hesitancy, possibly affecting the verdict outcome. The pressure of reaching a unanimous decision was underscored, especially in cases without the possibility of jury nullification. The timeline for the verdict was speculated, with the potential for a decision by the end of the week.
Severe Weather and Humanitarian Aid Challenges
Lastly, the podcast covered the impact of severe storms across the U.S., leading to multiple casualties and power outages. The severe weather, attributed to climate change, intensified tornado activity across several states. Additionally, the Pentagon faced challenges in delivering humanitarian aid to Gaza due to a damaged temporary pier, impacting aid distribution in the region.
The defense and prosecution delivered their closing arguments Tuesday in former President Donald Trump’s criminal hush money trial. New York Justice Juan Merchan said jury instructions will begin early today, after which the jurors will begin deliberating Trump’s fate. He faces 34 charges of falsifying business documents in the first criminal trial of a former U.S. president. Harry Litman, senior legal affairs columnist for The Los Angeles Times and a former deputy assistant attorney general at the Department of Justice, takes us inside the courtroom.
And in headlines: The Democratic National Committee announced plans to nominate President Joe Biden through a “virtual roll call” to ensure he qualifies for Ohio’s general election ballot, at least two dozen people died, and more than a million were without power after severe storms battered the eastern half of the U.S. over Memorial Day weekend, and the Pentagon said it will take more than a week to rebuild and repair portions of a temporary pier built off the coast of Gaza for humanitarian aid deliveries.