JURY FINDS TRUMP GUILTY ON ALL 34 FELONY COUNTS IN HUSH MONEY CASE

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: C-Span video screenshot of Trump speaking to reporters after the verdicts.

May 30, 2024 (New York, NY) -- A New York state jury has found Donald Trump guilty on all 34 felony criminal counts of falsifying business records to conceal payments to a porn star in order to influence the 2016 election. The former President and presumptive nominee will face sentencing at a July 11 hearing, where a judge could sentence him to prison. The hearing is just days before the Republican National Convention.

Trump, released pending the sentencing hearing, held a press conference after the unanimous verdict was read. He denounced the trial as "rigged" and a "disgrace," then said voters deliver the "real verdict" during the November 5 election.

There is no law preventing a convicted felon from running for the presidency or even serving if elected, even if he is behind bars. The verdict in the case, the first of four felony cases pending against Trump, along with his affirmation of intent to run despite the convictions, sets an uncharted path forward. No former President has ever been convicted of a felony. While felons are barred from serving in the military, should Trump win reelection a convicted felon would be the commander in chief.

While Trump has pledged to pardon himself if convicted of federal charges and reelected, he cannot pardon himself of state crimes--including the 34 felony crimes he has been convicted of today,  though he can attempt to appeal the verdict through New York's appellate court system.

While in theory, the Republican Party could choose a different nominee despite Trump received the lion's share of primary votes,  this option appears highly unlikely, since Trump has put family members and allies in charge of running the Republican National Committee.

The 12 jurors included some who said they had liked Trump and at least two who said they watched conservative news channels such as Fox. The jury returned its verdict just one day after beginning deliberations; the swift verdict indicates jurors had little trouble reaching agreement on Trump's guilt.

The sentence is up to the judge's discretion; it could range from up to four years in prison, to house arrest, to heavy fines, community service and no jail time.