The jury is tasked with deciding on 45 counts of felony-level falsification of business records in the historic criminal trial of an American president.
Jurors began deliberating in the criminal case of former President Donald Trump in New York on May 29, following instructions from New York Supreme Court Justice Juan Merchan. He emphasized the need for unanimous agreement on each count and the burden of proof on prosecutors to establish that the crime was committed by President Trump.
President Trump faces 34 counts of falsifying business records in the first degree, alleging that the records were falsified with the intent to conceal another crime. Justice Merchan clarified the definition of intent for the jurors and highlighted that the intent to defraud does not require specific targets or actions.
The judge outlined potential crimes that could be concealed by the falsified records, including violations of the Federal Election Campaign Act (FECA), conspiracy related to elections, and tax law violations. He also explained the concept of conspiracy terms and accessorial liability to the jury.
Justice Merchan stressed the importance of considering reasonable doubt, witness credibility, and the presumption of innocence for President Trump throughout the trial. He reminded jurors that the burden of proof lies with the prosecution and that the defendant’s decision not to testify should not be used as evidence of guilt.
Overall, the trial involves complex legal concepts and meticulous examination of evidence to determine President Trump’s guilt or innocence on the charges of falsifying business records. Please rewrite this sentence.
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