(ProsperNews.net) – A Manhattan jury has made history and convicted a former US President on felony charges for the first time. New York City jurors took just over nine hours to find Donald Trump guilty on 34 counts related to a hush-money scheme in which his ex-attorney, Michael Cohen, paid $130,000 to an adult movie actress to buy her silence about an alleged sexual encounter with Trump before he entered the White House.
The check to Stormy Daniels was registered as a legal expense, and so the former President was charged with falsifying documents – a misdemeanor offense. But, the Manhattan District Attorney’s office, led by Democrat Alvin Bragg, determined that Trump made the payment to prevent the scandal from affecting his chances during the 2016 Presidential election.
Therefore, Bragg charged Trump with attempting to influence an election result through the commission of a criminal offense, raising the stakes to a felony. It was the first time a former US President had faced felony charges.
Sentencing will take place in July, and experts say that while a prison term is possible, it is doubtful. The judge will likely factor in the former President’s age, lack of prior convictions, and the practicalities of jailing a person with 24-hour Secret Service protection. Lawyers say he will probably receive a sentence of probation and a fine.
Republicans have rallied around their presumptive Presidential nominee. House Speaker Mike Johnson has pledged that the GOP will fight back “with everything in our arsenal.” Mr. Johnson assured supporters, however, of his respect for the rule of law and the maintenance of America’s criminal justice system. Johnson described the charges as “purely political” and Trump’s conviction as a “dark day” for America.
House Majority leader Steve Scalise defined the case as a defeat for those who believe that justice is blind, while Senate GOP leader Mitch McConnell tweeted that the charges “never should have been brought in the first place.”
Mr. Trump’s attorneys will appeal, potentially dragging the case on for several months.
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