The multi-week criminal trial against former President Donald Trump has come to an end with a guilty verdict on 34 charges of falsified business records.
Here's the details and what happens next.
What Happened: A 12-person jury found Trump guilty in the case that began back on April 15.
After weeks of jury selection and 22 witnesses testifying on behalf of the prosecution and defense, the jury reached a verdict Thursday, as reported by NBC News.
Closing arguments in the trial presented Tuesday, May 28, centered on Trump's former lawyer Michael Cohen, who also testified in the case.
The defense painted Cohen as a liar and an untrustworthy witness, labeling him as the "greatest liar of all time." The prosecution told the jury that Cohen and key witness Stormy Daniels may not be perfect people, but they could help corroborate how Trump knowingly was involved in falsifying business records ahead of the 2016 presidential election.
Ahead of the jury deliberation, Judge Juan Merchan told the jury that it was its responsibility to judge the evidence, as reported by NBC News.
"You must set aside any personal opinions or bias," Merchan said.
What's Next: With a guilty verdict on all counts by the jury, Trump's team will likely appeal the verdict.
Judge Merchan will be tasked with sentencing in the case, which will happen July 11, and each of the counts Trump was found guilty on comes with a punishment of up to four years in prison. Trump is unlikely to receive prison time due to having no criminal record.
While he may not face prison time, a sentence of probation or home confinement could prove tricky to manage how Trump will still campaign for the 2024 presidential election. Probation often comes with rules on having to clear out-of-state travel.
Despite the guilty verdict and potential jail time, Trump is still able to run for president of the U.S.
DJT Price Action: Trump Media & Technology DJT shares trade at $46.50, down 11% in after-hours trading Thursday. The media company, which was co-founded by Trump, has been heavily volatile during the criminal trial proceedings.
Read Next: Trump Hush Money Trial Has 12 Jurors: Here Are The 7 Men, 5 Women To Decide Former President’s Fate
Image was created using artificial intelligence MidJourney.
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