“If the jury believes all of the evidence, it’s a gift to them.” Former Prosecutor Weighs In on Trump’s Hint at Jury Instructions in New York Criminal Case
Photo: Manuel Balce Centa/AP
Donald Trump recently stirred speculation with a social media post that may have inadvertently revealed prosecutors’ new leverage in his hush money cover-up trial in New York, according to Catherine Christian, a former assistant district attorney. During a Monday appearance on MSNBC, Christian dissected the implications of Trump’s comments on the jury instructions for his ongoing criminal case.
The case, which centers on accusations that Trump paid off adult film star Stormy Daniels to influence the outcome of the 2016 presidential election, is nearing its crucial phase with closing arguments scheduled for Tuesday. Trump, known for his active presence on social media platforms, took to Truth Social to express his grievances about the jury instructions that will guide the jurors’ deliberations.
These instructions, which have not been made public yet, are standard procedures in criminal trials to ensure jurors understand the legal principles they must consider in their verdict. Christian explained on MSNBC that Trump’s post could indicate an unexpected advantage for the prosecution. “When a defendant starts commenting on aspects of the legal process such as jury instructions, it often highlights their concerns about the direction the trial is taking,” she noted.
The former prosecutor elaborated that jury instructions are pivotal as they frame the legal context in which jurors must view the evidence presented during the trial. The host probed further, asking Christian about the potential impact of Trump’s public comments on the jury and the overall trial. She responded that while jurors are typically instructed to avoid media and public statements related to the trial, the defendant’s public outcries could complicate juror impartiality and the administration of justice.
She added that it’s “definitely it’s a gift” to prosecutors. “If the jury believes all of the evidence, it’s a gift to them.”
“I want to show something he posted on Truth Social,” the host says. “I wonder if this gives a hint about jury instructions and what they might be. I know we haven’t gotten an announcement from Judge Merchan, but I wonder if he has said something to the prosecution or defense, and I’m asking because Donald Trump said this, ‘The reason the highly conflicted Judge Merchan had to come up with three fake options for the jury to choose from without requiring them to be unanimous, which is completely un-American and unconstitutional, is the corrupt Soros’ … so he’s talking about three options for the jury to choose from without requiring them to be unanimous. Is he talking about federal election crime, state election crime, tax crime as the underlying felony charge, and do you have a sense that they know what the jury instructions are going to be?”
Christian replied, “I would hope that the defense and the prosecution know what the jury instructions are going to be since they’re giving their summations tomorrow. I understand why the press and why we would all want it, [but also] why the judge didn’t release it. He wants to make sure the first time the jury hears about this, and the jury is abiding by judge’s rules, and not watching this right now, is the first time they hear about this is tomorrow, so that post by Donald Trump is sort of a hint, if you can believe Donald Trump, that maybe the instruction to the jury will be that the unlawful means, conspire to promote an election by unlawful means, could be the federal election law violation, could be tax crimes, state tax crime violation, so I have a feeling that that’s probably what Donald Trump is talking about because his lawyers have a copy of the jury instructions the judge will give tomorrow.”
“It’s always a delicate balance in high-profile cases to shield the jury from external influences, and comments like these do not help,” Christian added. This development comes as the latest twist in a trial that has captivated public attention, not just for its legal ramifications but also for its potential political consequences. As the trial progresses to closing arguments, all eyes will be on how these jury instructions, once revealed, align with the evidence and arguments presented by both sides, potentially shaping the final outcome of this high-stakes legal battle.
