- Trump’s lawyers allege there was juror « misconduct » at his NY hush-money trial.
- Details of the allegations, which Trump hopes will void his conviction, are not being released.
- Manhattan prosecutors called the allegations « unsworn, unsupported, heresay. »
One day after Donald Trump lost his 11th-hour bid to void his hush-money conviction, a juror « misconduct » battle is brewing, according to a newly-public series of court filings in the case.
The heavily-veiled dispute began with a December 3 letter, in which the president-elect’s lawyers told the trial judge, New York Supreme Court Justice Juan Merchan, that « the jury in this case was not anywhere near fair and impartial. »
Nearly two-thirds of the 15 page letter is redacted, but in it, defense lawyer Todd Blanche — Trump’s pick for deputy attorney general — complained to Merchan about « extensive and pervasive misconduct » that « violated President Trump’s rights under the federal Constitution and New York law. »
Details of the alleged misconduct, and even whether it concerns a single juror or more than one, are redacted. The letter demands that the misconduct be considered as evidence in Trump’s yet-resolved request that Merchan void the case in the interest of justice.
The defense followed up their December 3 letter to the judge with two more dated December 5 and 9. Both asked that the December 3 letter be made public in redacted form, a request opposed by prosecutors with New York Attorney General Alvin Bragg.
Prosecutors responded December 9 by noting that Trump’s misconduct claim « consists entirely of unsworn allegations, » based on « hearsay and conjecture. »
As part of Monday’s 41-page denial of Trump’s most recent dismissal effort, Merchan responded by saying he would only consider Trump’s misconduct claims if they were formalized in a motion.
This story is developing, check back for more information.
2024-12-17 20:59:56