The jury note contains 4 requests: (1) David Pecker testimony regarding phone convo during investor meeting, (2) Pecker Testimony related to McDougal's life rights agreement, (3) Pecker testimony regarding Trump Tower meeting, and (4) Cohen testimony regarding Trump Tower meeting (via Anna Bower)
Kyle Cheney jumps on the speculation train early, but why not:
"Apply all the caveats here, but first instinct is this is not welcome news for Trump. Prosecutors spent a lot of their lengthy close focusing on value of Pecker's testimony. This is the roadmap they asked jurors to follow."
Judge Merchan asks if the laptop the jurors were given containing exhibits into evidence has Wi-Fi access. When told that it does, he asks if the Wi-Fi can be disabled. (via Anna Bower)
NO VERDICT TODAY: Judge Merchan sends the jury home, since the court is working on compiling the testimony the jury asked for, which he says will take 30 min to read back. Tomorrow deliberations will restart at 9:30 a.m. with the readback of the transcript, plus the jury instructions.
JUSTICE MERCHAN: We received another note. He reads it. The note describes what the jury wants to hear from jury instructions. Justice Merchan says he interprets the note as the jurors wanting to hear page 7-35 of the jury instructions. (via Anna Bower, Lawfare)
Justice Merchan says the jurors also requested headphones for audio.
(This suggests the jurors want to re-listen to some or all of the audio recordings that were admitted into evidence.)
(via Anna Bower, Lawfare)
Those of you who have been following since yesterday will be relieved to know that Judge Merchan has now confirmed for the record that the jurors' laptop does NOT have Wi-Fi access
The jurors, having now heard their instructions again and the requested transcript excerpts, have filed out of Judge Merchan’s courtroom to resume their deliberations (via Anna Bower, Lawfare)
Trump remains largely expressionless as the court officer reads the jury's verdict back to them to confirm. Blanche confirms that he would like to have the jurors polled. We go down the line starting with Juror 1. (via Tyler McBrien, Lawfare)
Merchan to the jury: I want to thank you very much for your service in this case, it was a long time to be away from your jobs and your families, engaged in a very difficult task. I admire your dedication and hard work, he says. (via Tyler McBrien, Lawfare)
Merchan tells the jury they are now free to discuss the case with anyone, and they're just as free not to.
He mentions he'd like to meet with them as a group shortly to thank them for their service and get their feedback, but he cannot discuss the details of the case. (via Tyler McBrien, Lawfare)
The jury having left the room, Trump's attorney Todd Blanche adjusts the mic and says: There's no basis and no way the jury could've reached a verdict based on the testimony of Cohen—he lied, there was perjury committed—there's no reason the court should allow a verdict. (via Tyler McBrien, Lawfare)
Merchan: I'm sure you misspoke when you said "knowing," not suggesting that I know that anyone committed perjury. Blanche says yes. Steinglass stands, respectfully disagrees, and says there's more than enough evidence.
Defense's motion is DENIED. (via Tyler McBrien, Lawfare)
Judge Merchan says he will adjourn until July 11 at 10:00 a.m. and will order a probation interview and report. If there are any motions to file, Merchan asks the defense to file no later than June 13, and for the prosecution to respond by June 27. (via Tyler McBrien)
Merchan inquires about the "bail status," but Steinglass reminds him there's no bail. With nothing else, we're adjourned. Trump and his team stand and walk out of court quickly. (via Tyler McBrien, Lawfare)
Six weeks is standard for everyone when you have to have the different parties involved do a pre sentencing report.
People are used to seeing people go straight to jail because in many cases convicted people are not allowed to stay out on bail awaiting sentencing to prevent them from trying to flee
I am familiar with two people from regular life who pled guilty to felonies and wanted to go to prison as soon as possible (so they'd be out as soon as possible) and even then, it took a few weeks.
There are incredibly strong arguments to completely throw the book at Trump given his prior behavior and his behavior during the trial, but will the judge have the stones to do it? If he hadn't been President I bet he'd be in Jail for 4+ years after what he's done.
