In a recent development, Judge Juan Merchan informed prosecutors and Donald Trump’s attorneys about a potential juror misconduct claim that surfaced on the New York court system’s Facebook page.
The post, made by a user claiming to be the cousin of a juror, stated, “My cousin is a juror and says Trump is getting convicted. Thank you folks for all your hard work!!!!” The post, which has since been removed, raised concerns about the integrity of the trial process.
Authenticity of the Post
Judge Merchan, who presided over Trump’s hush money trial, did not confirm whether the post was genuine or a possible prank. Media investigations suggested that the post might have come from an account frequently involved in trolling the court system’s social media. Despite this, the judge decided to alert the involved parties to ensure transparency and caution.
Reaction and Legal Context
The judge’s decision to notify the lawyers led to immediate reactions, particularly from right-wing commentators who questioned the legitimacy of Trump’s conviction. Jurors had been explicitly instructed not to discuss the case during the trial, making any potential breach of this rule a serious concern.
Trump’s lead defense lawyer, Todd Blanche, and the Manhattan district attorney’s office have both refrained from commenting on the matter.
Details of the Facebook Post
According to Judge Merchan’s letter, the post appeared as a reply to a May 29 notice about unrelated oral arguments in a New York appeals court. Both the original post and the May 29 notice are no longer visible on the Facebook page, suggesting they were deleted. However, a similar notice dated May 20 remains on the page.
Trial and Conviction Overview
The jury in Trump’s trial deliberated from May 28 to May 30, eventually finding Trump guilty on all 34 charges. This historic conviction marked the first time a former president was found guilty, with charges stemming from a scheme to cover up a payment to Stormy Daniels during the 2016 election.
Next Steps and Sentencing
It remains unclear whether court officials have investigated the post further or if Judge Merchan disclosed it purely out of caution. Alongside the letter, Judge Merchan also permitted Blanche to attend a pre-sentence interview with a probation officer, which Trump is scheduled to participate in before his July 11 sentencing.
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