Regardless of the jury verdict Merchan will declare DJT is guilty. Even if it’s a unanimous acquittal Merchan will set aside the jury verdict and declare guilty.
Just as likely, Merchan will draft jury instructions that obscure the weakness of the prosecutors case and negate the defense's case so that it will be a no brainer conviction for the jury.
Merchan's future legal career is perhaps guaranteed, and he is unconcerned about any appeal.
At his extremely great personal peril. Perhaps. Doesn’t look ‘brave’ one bit. Doe eyed, stupid and paid off, and his panties too tight.
“Regardless of the jury verdict Merchan will declare DJT is guilty. Even if it’s a unanimous acquittal Merchan will set aside the jury verdict and declare guilty.”
I’m not voting in the poll because I have no strong opinion as between a guilty verdict and a hung jury.
But I have a strong opinion about this: If the jury verdict is a unanimous acquittal, there is absolutely no way that Merchan will declare Trump guilty.
There are well-established rules for many aspects of a criminal case. One is that the prosecution sums up second. Trump complained about that, because it worked against him, but that’s the law.
Another rule is that neither the trial judge nor any appellate court can set aside a jury verdict of acquittal. The Dems may complain about that, because it works against them, but that’s the law. A jury acquittal will end the matter, period.
“Even if it’s a unanimous acquittal Merchan will set aside the jury verdict and declare guilty.”
And he has the authority to do that.