New York, NY — Social media has been abuzz with false information regarding the jury instructions in the trial of former President Donald Trump. Contrary to online claims, New York Judge Juan M. Merchan did not inform the jury that they could convict Trump without a unanimous decision.
In reality, Judge Merchan explicitly stated that the jury must reach a unanimous verdict to find Trump guilty on all 34 felony charges. The charges involve allegations that Trump misrepresented company records with the intent to hide another crime, specifically violating a state election statute during his 2016 presidential campaign.
The misinformation circulating online suggested that the jury did not need to be unanimous, leading to widespread confusion and allegations of bias. One Instagram post, garnering over 8,000 likes, falsely claimed, “The jury need not even reach a unanimous verdict in order to find President Trump guilty, according to the judge’s recent announcement! The entire process was biased from the start.”
These claims have been debunked by official court records and statements. The jury, composed of seven men and five women, began their deliberations on Wednesday with clear instructions from Judge Merchan emphasizing the necessity of a unanimous decision for a guilty verdict.
The spread of incorrect information highlights the challenges of navigating truth in high-profile cases. As jury deliberations continue, the importance of accurate reporting and fact-checking remains paramount.
Stay tuned for further updates on this significant trial and the ongoing jury deliberations.
AP Fact Check Summary:
- Claim: Jury does not need to be unanimous to convict Trump.
- Fact: Judge Merchan required a unanimous decision for a guilty verdict.
- Status: False. Misleading social media posts debunked by official statements.
AP Contact Information: For further inquiries and fact-checking, contact AP at [AP Contact Information].
Source: Associated Press (AP).
