‘Mother Teresa could not beat these charges,’ Trump says as jury begins deliberations in hush money trial

Donald Trump continued to complain about his criminal trial as jurors began deliberating, on Wednesday (May 29) on whether to convict the former United States president or not based on charges stemming from $130,000 in hush money allegedly paid to the adult film actress, Stormy Daniels ahead of the 2016 presidential election.

What happened in court?

The jurors began deliberations behind closed doors to weigh the evidence and testimony they have heard and seen over the last five weeks. There is no telling how long the jury, which comprises seven men and five women, will deliberate for and there’s no time limit either.

However, media reports suggest that a verdict by the end of this week is unlikely.

WATCH |Donald Trump's hush money trial comes to a close

The proceedings began with Judge Juan Merchan, overseeing the trial giving instructions to the 12 jurors reminding them of their solemn responsibility to decide whether Trump is guilty or not.

During his instructions to the jurors, judge Merchan also said that they cannot solely rely on the testimony of the prosecutor’s key witness and Trump’s former lawyer-turned-foe Michael Cohen.

He also told jurors to apply extra scrutiny to Cohen since he testified that he was directly involved in Trump’s alleged efforts to cover up the payment to Daniels ahead of the 2016 election.

“Even if you find the testimony of Michael Cohen to be believable, you may not convict the defendant solely on that testimony unless you find it was corroborated by other evidence,” Merchan said.

The judge also reminded them that the burden of proof remains on the prosecutor and Trump cannot be held responsible for his decision to not testify in court.

“You must set aside any personal opinions or bias you might have in favor of or against the defendant,” the judge reminded the jurors.

To convict Trump, Merchan told the jury they would have to come to a unanimous decision. Therefore, even if just one juror refuses to join the others, the judge would have to declare a mistrial.

Trump has pleaded not guilty to the 34-count indictment brought against him by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg for falsifying business records to cover the hush money payments to Daniels.

The former president has also denied having sex with the adult film actress and repeatedly called the trial politically motivated.

‘Mother Teresa could not beat these charges’

Trump and his lawyers were instructed by the judge not to leave the building. “We need you to be able to get here quickly if we do receive a note (from the jurors),” saidMerchan.

“Mother Teresa could not beat these charges,” he told reporters after leaving the courtroom. He added, “The whole thing is rigged.”

“What is happening here is weaponization at a level that nobody’s seen before ever and it shouldn’t be allowed to happen,” said the former president.

He also went on to attack his rival in the upcoming election and successor US President Joe Biden and accused the judge of being conflicted.

If found guilty, the former president faces up to four years in prison. However, imprisonment is unlikely for a first-time felon convicted of such a crime.

Not to mention the fact that the decision could potentially impact the upcoming presidential election where Trump is the presumptive Republican presidential nominee.

(With inputs from agencies)