[ding_dong_daddy_from_dumas]

The counts in the indictment are actually identical, difference only being the dates.

Colangelo seem to be a skilled liar but maybe the jury is not as stupid as he thinks. He could try to "explain" that each count has something unique, in the hope the jury will be so blinded by TDS, in spite of the carbon copy similarities of the counts, that they would convict on some of the counts. Hope some jurors won't buy that argument.

[Sidebar Moderator]

Exactly. If Bragg failed to present evidence beyond reasonable doubt on just one of the carbon copy counts, the whole edifice collapses like a house of cards.

[Fido969]

Merchan has pushed closing arguments to next Tuesday, jury will take the case Tuesday or Wednesday. I think the legal issues are pretty straight forward, figure legal deliberations 2 or three days, then another couple of days to persuade any holdouts. Estimating - If they come up with a guilty verdict, that would be about June 5.

The next debate is scheduled for June 27. Unless an appeal is successful overturning the verdict in three weeks, Trump would be going into the debates as a “convicted felon”, which is the entire point of this.

A hung jury, which I think is likely, isn't as good as a “not guilty”, but still leaves the matter for discussion during the debate.

I think that a large group of lawyers and legal professors should sign a letter condemning the process, like the “Hunter Laptop” letter that Biden waived around during the 2020 debate.

Also, if there is a “guilty” ruling, Trump's team should file an emergency expedited appeal, pointing out the vast irregularities, and the significant political ramifications a guilty verdict has hanging over his head. A reversal, especially a strongly worded reversal, would go a long way to mitigate a guilty verdict.