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Trump becomes first former US president to be convicted following verdict in hush money trial

Trump becomes first former US president to be convicted following verdict in hush money trial

File photo.

A New York jury on Thursday (May 30) found former United States president Donald Trumpguilty on all charges in his hush money case, months before an election that could see himreturn to the White House.Trump, 77, became the first former US president ever convicted of a crime.A report by the news agency AFP said that the jury found Trumpguilty on each of the 34 counts of falsifying business records to hide a payment meant to silence adult actor Stormy Daniels.

"The defendant Donald J Trump is guilty of 34 counts of falsifying business records in the first degree to conceal a scheme to corrupt the 2016 election. And while this defendant, maybe unlike any of the other in American history, we arrived at this trial and ultimately today this verdict, in the same manner as every other case that comes through the courtroom doors, by following the facts and the law and doing so without fear or favour," Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg said.

He could in theory be sentenced to four years behind bars for each count but is more likely to receive probation.

Trump, who was released without bail,is now a felon. However, he is not barred from contesting the presidential elections in November.

'I'm a very innocent man'

Speaking to reporters, Trump said that he was a very innocent man, and vowed that the real verdict would come from voters. He branded the trial "rigged" and a "disgrace".

After two days of deliberation, the 12-member New York jurypronounced Trump guilty on all 34 felony counts he faced.Justice Juan Merchan set sentencing for July 11, just days before the Republican Party is scheduled to formally nominate Trump for president ahead of the elections.

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The crime of falsifying business documents carries a maximum sentence of four years in prison, though those convicted often receive shorter sentences, fines, or probation, a report by the news agency Reuters said.

The case

Trump was convicted of falsifying business records to reimburse his then-lawyer, Michael Cohen, for a $130,000 payment to Daniels on the eve of the 2016 election, when her claim to have had sex with him could have proved fatal to his campaign against Hillary Clinton.

The trial featured lengthy testimony from Daniels who described to the court in graphic detail a 2006 encounter with Trump while he was married to his current wife Melania.

Trump denies ever having sex with Daniels. Cohen testifiedthat Trump approved the hush money paymentto Daniels in the final weeks of the 2016 elections when the Republican faced multiple accusations of sexual misbehaviour.

Cohen testified that he handled the payment and that Trump approved a plan to reimburse him through monthly payments disguised as legal work. Trump's lawyers hammered Cohen's credibility, highlighting his criminal record and imprisonment and his history of lying.

(With inputs from agencies)