A New York jury has found former President Donald Trump guilty of all 34 felony charges of falsifying business records in connection to a hush money payment to porn star, Stormy Daniels, by his then-personal lawyer before the 2016 election.
Trump who was declared guilty on Thursday, is the first ex – U.S. president to be found guilty of any crime.
According to CNBC report, Trump sentencing was quickly scheduled for July 11 at 10 a.m. ET. That is four days before the beginning of the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, where Trump is set to be formally confirmed as the GOP’s presidential nominee.
Trump, who remains free without bail, faces a maximum possible sentence of four years in prison for each count.
Trump’s demeanor did not change during the reading of the verdict. His son Eric Trump looked angry after the jury foreman repeatedly said “guilty” to each count as it was read.
The 12-member jury deliberated less than 10 hours over two days before sending out a note to Judge Juan Merchan saying they had reached a verdict.
Before the announcement, Trump, his lawyers, prosecutors and reporters expected the jury to be dismissed for the day at 4:30 p.m.
Trump was sitting in the courtroom with his arms crossed and a resigned look on his face minutes after the announcement was made. The jury, which had asked for time to fill out the verdict form, was brought into the courtroom about a half hour later.
Credit:CNBC