In the New York courtroom where Donald Trump was convicted on all counts in his historic criminal trial, there was so much tension that it was like watching a movie.
From my seat in the third row, directly behind Trump’s advisers and lawyers, I had a clear view of the former president shaking his head in disgust as the first of 34 statements were read.
As he left the 15th floor courtroom as a newly convicted man, his son Eric extended his fist and Trump met him with a fist bump.
The former president had a face like thunder and a pouty lip that did little to hide his anger at being found guilty of all charges of falsifying corporate documents.
In the New York courtroom where Donald Trump was convicted on all counts in his historic criminal trial, there was so much tension that it felt like you were watching a movie
The reading of the verdict could not have been better written to heighten the tension – until a surprising twist at the end.
At 4:15 PM on Thursday, everyone began returning to the courtroom for what we thought was the end of the day.
Judge Merchan said he planned to send the jury home at 4:30 p.m., and for the next 15 minutes everyone, including Trump, more than a hundred journalists and the prosecutors, waited in the 15th floor courtroom.
Trump laughed and joked with his lawyer Todd Blanche at the defense table. At one point Blanche laughed so much that he put his hand over his face.
But just after 4:30 p.m., the mood changed dramatically when Judge Merchan said the jury had been sent a note, their fourth.
They had a verdict.
As he left the 15th floor courtroom as a newly convicted man, his son Eric extended his fist and Trump met him with a fist bump
There was a loud gasp in the room and the tension shot through the roof.
Judge Merchan told everyone in the court that there should be ‘no outbursts’ as the verdict was handed down.
The jury report asked for 30 minutes to complete the form – which covered 40 pages – so we had to wait again.
Alvin Bragg, the Manhattan district attorney, entered and sat in the public gallery.
The six alternate jurors entered and sat in front of him.
Now Blanche put his hand to his face again – this time nervously.
Just after 4:30 p.m., the mood changed dramatically when Judge Merchan said the jury had been sent a note, their fourth. They had a verdict
The former president had a face like thunder and a pouty lip that did little to hide his anger at being found guilty of all charges of falsifying corporate documents
As time passed, a female clerk in the courthouse well closed her eyes and took a few deep breaths.
Reporters were affected by the poor WiFi connection and one journalist’s batteries were empty.
Suddenly Judge Merchan came back in and called in the jury.
Eleven court security officers, along with four Secret Service agents, stood guard as the jury reentered, standing just over a foot away from Trump as he stood at the defense table.
No one looked him in the eye.
Judge Merchan told the jury he received their note at 4.20pm. He asked the foreman if they had reached a verdict and he said yes.
The foreman, a former waiter who works in sales for a cosmetics company, stood up and grabbed a microphone that was passed to him.
A court official read him the first count and asked him, “How do you say it?”
To a stunned silence in the courtroom, the foreman said, “Guilty.”
The officer read through two more counts, and each time the foreman said the same thing: guilty.
Trump shook his head as the third was read.
The officer read through two more counts, and each time the foreman said the same thing: guilty. Trump shook his head as the third was read
The bailiff went through each of the 34 charges and each time the verdict was the same: guilty, guilty, guilty, guilty.
The foreman’s voice wavered only once, but otherwise he spoke in a clear voice that could be heard around the world.
Trump stared into space as the statements piled up, apparently bewildered or unsure of what to make of the decision.
The judge asked the jury if this was indeed their verdict and they said yes in unison.
Everyone was then asked if that was their opinion and they alternately answered ‘yes, that is so’ or ‘yes’.
As phones buzzed with updates on the verdict, Judge Merchan paid tribute to the jury, praising their ‘dedication and hard work’
He said they were “engaged and committed” and “you have given this issue the attention it deserves;
In a hopeless Hail Mary, Blanche asked the judge for an order of acquittal.
He said, “There is no basis and there is no way this jury could have reached this verdict without believing Mr. Cohen’s testimony,” referring to Trump’s former personal attorney Michael Cohen.
Trump raises his fist in the air as he greets a waiting crowd in Manhattan, outside Trump Tower
Blanche said: ‘We believe he lied, perjury was committed’
Judge Merchan denied the request.
Blanche asked for a sentencing date in mid-to-late July, as Trump faces a three-day hearing in the documents case in Florida at the end of June and they “would not have been able to focus on this case” if that had happened sooner.
Prosecutor Joshua Steinglass did not object and the judge set the sentence for July 11 at 10 a.m.
The judge inquired about Trump’s bail status and prosecutors said he was released on his own recognizance. Judge Merchan said this would remain the case.
Trump stood up, bumped Eric with his fist and walked out with the angry scowl on his face.
By the time he emerged from the courtroom doors, he had returned to his senses and branded the verdict “rigged” in one of his usual rants.