Constitutional law attorney and Fox News contributor Jonathan Turley is covering the jury instructions in the so-called “Hush Money” case against Trump this morning and some stunning details are emerging.
Tim Pool provides a nice summary of the essence of what the Judge just told the Jury:
“You can all disagree on if the crime was committed so long as you agree trump committed any crime, lock him up”
“You can all disagree on if the crime was committed so long as you agree trump committed any crime, lock him up” https://t.co/mkMpJj5pXn
— Tim Pool (@Timcast) May 29, 2024
Wow.
But now let’s go direct to Turley live-tweeting from the Courtroom where he explains in more detail:
I am back in the courtroom for the instructions.
— Jonathan Turley (@JonathanTurley) May 29, 2024
…This judge has stated that he wants to stay close to the standard instructions. The problem is that this case is anything but standard. We will be looking for some of the outstanding issues, particularly on the standard of proof for key elements like “unlawful means.” …
— Jonathan Turley (@JonathanTurley) May 29, 2024
…This judge has stated that he wants to stay close to the standard instructions. The problem is that this case is anything but standard. We will be looking for some of the outstanding issues, particularly on the standard of proof for key elements like “unlawful means.” …
— Jonathan Turley (@JonathanTurley) May 29, 2024
……Merchan is telling them that they can only consider Cohen’s plea to a federal election violation was only allowed to judge his credibility and offer “context.” That is mere meek after the prosecutors said repeatedly that such violations were committed as an indisputable…
— Jonathan Turley (@JonathanTurley) May 29, 2024
……Judge Merchan just said that if they find that any witness has testified with regard to any material fact, they can disregard the entirety of his or her testimony. It could be called the Michael Cohen charge. It seems clear to some of us that Cohen clearly lied about the…
— Jonathan Turley (@JonathanTurley) May 29, 2024
…Merchan has instructed that the first count of falsifying business records in the first degree must show that Trump made or causes a false entry to be made. Intent means conscious or purpose to defraud. Intent does not require an intent to defraud any particular person or…
— Jonathan Turley (@JonathanTurley) May 29, 2024
…Merchan just delivered the coup de grace instruction. He said that there is no need to agree on what occurred. They can disagree on what the crime was among the three choices. Thus, this means that they could split 4-4-4 and he will still treat them as unanimous…
— Jonathan Turley (@JonathanTurley) May 29, 2024
Fox News sums it up with this:
Ok, so basically the jury can split 4-4-4 on key facts and details about what crime was committed, and that doesn’t matter as long as they all basically agree “Orange Man Bad” and then it will be treated as a unanimous decision.
This is insane!!!
Not only that, but many believe it to be wildly unconstitutional:
Merchan is giving false instructions to the jury. This has already been settled by SCOTUS. The jury must be unanimous on every decision. Did Merchan actually go to law school? pic.twitter.com/NK2vxE65yl
— Savannah (@BasedSavannah) May 29, 2024
Now ask yourself….why would a Judge do something so obviously erroneous?
Because they don’t care what happens long-term.
They just need to “Get Trump” before November.
If they can tie him up, keep him off the campaign trail, maybe even put him in jail, they don’t care if the Supreme Court reverses this in 2025, they will have accomplished all they ever set out to do.
Now does it make sense?
Fox News reports more on what the jury will need to find if they want a guilty verdict:
Judge Juan Merchan told the jury that in order to find the defendant guilty, the prosecutors are required to prove:
1. On or about Feb. 14, 2017, fromer president Donald Trump personally made or caused a false entry in business enterprise, specifically invoice from his ex-lawyer Michael Cohen
2. Trump did so with intent to commit another crime or intent to conceal another crime. That leaves 33 remaining counts – each for falsifying business records. The only difference is different business record or date. The jury can ask to repeat the law in its entirely as many times.
2nd count relates to voucher kept or remained by the Trump Organization. 3rd count relates to voucher kept or remained by Trump Org.
–4th is check
–5th – invoice from Cohen from March 2017
–6th – entry in general ledger for DJT Trust bearing voucher
–7th – check #000147
–8th – invoice from Cohen April 13, 2017
–9th – entry in general ledger for DJT
–10th – check from June 2017
–11th – invoice from Cohen from May 2017
–12th – entry in general ledger for Trump in May 2017
–13th – Check
–14th – invoice from Cohen
–15th – June general ledge entry
–16th – check & check stub from June 2017
–17th count invoice from Micahel Cohen
–18th entry from general ledger
–19th pertains to Donald J. Trump check and check stub
— 20th count invoice from Michael Cohen
— 21st count ledger entry for Donald J Trump
— 22nd count pertains to check
— 23rd count pertains to voice related to Cohen
— 24th count entry in general ledger for Trump
— 25th count check and check stub
— 26th count invoice from Cohen
— 27th count
— 28th count check and check stub
— 29th invoice from Michael Cohen
— 30th count entry in general ledger of Trump
— 31st count check and check stub
— 32nd count invoice from Cohen
— 33rd count entry in general ledger for Trump
— 34th count also falsifying business records in the first degree, check
We will continue to monitor this story and bring you updates as they arise today.
This is a Guest Post from our friends over at WLTReport.
View the original article here.
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