In a historic decision, a New York jury has convicted former President Donald Trump on all 34 felony counts of falsifying business records. This marks the first time in U.S. history that a former president has been found guilty of a crime, NBC News reports.
The verdict was announced in a Manhattan courtroom, where Trump had been on trial since April 15. He had pleaded not guilty to all charges, which stem from a hush-money payment made by his former lawyer, Michael Cohen, to adult film star Stormy Daniels in the final weeks of the 2016 presidential election.
According to NBC News, Trump looked down with narrowed eyes as the jury foreperson read "guilty" for each count. The jury reached its verdict after 9.5 hours of deliberation, which began on Wednesday.
This conviction makes Trump the first former U.S. president to face criminal charges and he will be sentenced in July.
The conviction comes as Trump was the presumed Republican nominee for the presidency. The judge commended the jurors for their diligence during the trial.
"You gave this matter the attention it deserved, and I want to thank you for that," said Judge Juan Merchan, according to NBC News.
Trump’s attorney, Todd Blanche, filed a motion for acquittal after the jury left, but the judge denied it.
Prosecutor Joshua Steinglass reminded the jury in his closing arguments that "the law is the law and it applies to everyone equally. There is no special standard for this defendant. You, the jury, have the ability to hold the defendant accountable."
