Possible Outcomes in Trump’s Manhattan Criminal Trial

NEW YORK (AP) — As the trial of former President Donald Trump in Manhattan nears its conclusion, the jury will soon begin deliberations on the 34 felony counts of falsifying business records against him. Here are the potential outcomes and what they mean:

1. Conviction on All Counts
   For Trump to be found guilty of all 34 counts, the jury must unanimously agree that he falsified business records with the intent to defraud and to conceal another crime. Prosecutors have presented three possible underlying crimes: violations of state or federal election law and a tax crime. The jury does not need to agree on the specific crime but must believe beyond a reasonable doubt that he intended to conceal one. A conviction would almost certainly lead to an appeal by Trump.
2. Conviction on Some Counts, Acquittal on Others
   Each count represents a separate business record alleged to be falsified, including checks, check stubs, ledger entries, and invoices. The jury might find Trump guilty on some counts while acquitting him on others, depending on whether they believe he was responsible for falsifying specific records. The jury’s decision must be unanimous for each count.
3. Acquittal on All Counts
   The jury could find Trump not guilty of all charges if they determine that he did not falsify the business records, did not intend to defraud, or did not intend to conceal another crime. A full acquittal would prevent prosecutors from appealing due to the double jeopardy clause in the Constitution.
4. Hung Jury
   If the jury cannot reach a unanimous decision on any or all of the counts, resulting in at least one juror dissenting, a hung jury will be declared. The judge would likely issue an “Allen” charge, urging the jurors to deliberate further. If they still cannot agree, a mistrial would be declared. The Manhattan district attorney’s office could then decide whether to retry the case, though the resources and political implications might deter them from doing so.
5. Directed Verdict
   Although unlikely, the judge could issue a directed verdict for acquittal, determining that no reasonable jury could find that the prosecution has proved its case. This decision is usually made after the prosecution rests its case, but it remains a possibility even at this late stage. Trump’s lead defense lawyer has requested this dismissal due to insufficient evidence, a motion that is still pending.

Closing Arguments and Jury Deliberations

Closing arguments are scheduled for Tuesday, after which the judge will instruct the jury on the relevant law. The jurors will then begin their deliberations, which could last from a few hours to several weeks. The outcome of this trial will be closely watched, given its historical significance and potential implications for future legal and political proceedings involving the former president.