[Verginius Rufus]

Turley thinks there will be a hung jury, but I think he is way too optimistic. If the jury comes back and tells the judge they can't reach a verdict, he can tell them to keep deliberating. His jury instructions will basically amount to "find Trump guilty." He could issue a directed verdict of guilty but that would be less useful to Biden than to be able to say that "a jury of his peers" found Trump guilty.

According to one of the legal experts on Fox the other day, Merchan would not be able to order Trump to prison while he appeals. If that's the case, all Biden can do for the next few months is to call Trump a convicted felon all the time. I wonder if Merchan will be able to impose a gag order on Trump after the verdict if he is found guilty?

[hanamizu]

He could issue a directed verdict of guilty

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I’m not a lawyer, but I’ve never heard of a directed verdict of guilty.

[desertsolitaire]

Interesting question to all here legally minded. Does the outrageous Merchan gag order against President Trump end when the trial ends, or can Merchan order it to continue on into forever perpetuity? Or at least until all appeals are exhausted?