DONALD TRUMP IS ALSO IN NEW YORK CITY

We yesterday again toured Manhattan, and happened to pass by the Trump hush money trial with Stormy Daniels testifying.  Here is what it looked like outside the court area.

A current summary of the trial.  There are 12 jurors and 6 substitutes.  What if even one juror votes Trump is not guilty?  Then there will be a hung jury:

A hung jury can also have an impact on the parties involved in the trial. For the defendant, a hung jury may mean that they have not been found guilty, but it also means that the case could be retried, leading to additional stress and cost. For the prosecution, a hung jury means that they have failed to secure a conviction, which can be a blow to their case and reputation.

When a hung jury occurs, it is up to the prosecution to decide if they want to retry the case or drop the charges. It's important to note that double jeopardy, the principle that prohibits trying a person twice for the same crime, does not apply in cases where a mistrial is declared due to a hung jury.

The trial today will not be controversial..  

Witnesses in the case have seesawed between bookkeepers and bankers with often dry testimony to Daniels and others with salacious and unflattering stories about Trump and the tabloid world machinations meant to keep them secret. Despite all the drama, in the end, the trial is about money changing hands — business transactions — and whether those payments were made to illegally influence the 2016 election.

However, Michael Cohen will begin his testimony on Monday, and signs are that he will be on the stand for three days.  The Stormy Daniels segment merely set the nails for Trump's coffin.  Cohen will pound the nails to seal the case.  Trump's lawyers will attempt to portray Cohen as a criminal and unreliable.  However, the crimes he committed were FOR Donald Trump.  Cohen spent time in jail, while Trump has not.  Here is what Trump faces if judged guilty:

If convicted, Trump could face up to four years in prison for each of the 34 charges against him. While paying hush money is not always illegal, prosecutors allege that Trump reimbursed his then-lawyer Michael Cohen in a series of installment payments processed by his business, which prosecutors say were fraudulently disguised as corporate legal expenses in violation of New York law.

Thus, Trump could serve for 136 years.  He actually could be pardoned...by New York governor Kathy Hochul.  But she is a Democrat.  Also, he should stop insulting Judge Merchan, for he can cite Trump's age of 77 and overrule the jury to place The Donald on probation without ever being incarcerated.  The odds are very high that Trump will not spend any time in jail even if found guilty on all counts.

The trial was expected to take 6 weeks, and is now halfway there.  The verdict will certainly be reached before the July Republican Convention placing Trump as their candidate for president.  Would he be disqualified if guilty?  Nope.  He will appeal, and the process will go on until next year.  Even if in jail, nothing stopping him from still running for president.  But how will voters respond on November 5, and will the Republican Party want him to be their choice?  Is there a way to overturn all the state elector votes?  Lot of unknowns.  

While the Florida documents case has been postponed until next year by the Trump-appointed judge, the worst he would have gotten was a hand slap, so this delay is immaterial to the election.  The Supreme Court decision on whether Trump is immune to prosecution will be crucial for the Jack Smith prosecution related to Trump inciting the 6January2021 coup attempt.  Will not affect this New York hush money verdict, for this criminal action by Trump occurred before he became president.

By the way, the Trump trial is the hottest ticket in town.  Very early in the morning, like midnight, a line begins forming outside of 100 Centre Street in lower Manhattan.  There are also companies with staff in line to sell seats to journalist and the like.  These organizations also stand in new iPhone, sample sales, Taylor Swift, BTS, TKTS booths and anything that draws people.  Asks for $50/hour.  One company, Line Dudes, is looking forward to Trump's trial in DC.

In addition to those Trump trial photos, also repeated that Hop-On/Hop-Off bus, for the hotel pays the $50+ daily fee.  Like the Empire State Building.

The World Trade Center.

Street scenes.

The wall street bull.

That white building I featured a couple days ago in Tribeca, and close by, a typical store front.

It was 3:30, and we had not had lunch yet.  I wanted to purchase my very first Chick-fil-A sandwich and bring it back to our room, for we have cans of Foster beer waiting to be drunk, and we leave tomorrow for Honolulu.  However, the hotel recommended DD Soup Dumpling for Chinese food.

Ordered Shanghai Soup Dumplings and Beef Ramen, with beer.  Not bad, actually, although it was somewhat disquieting, for we were the customers in the restaurant.  However, it was long after lunch and way before dinner.

Walked a good 5167 steps.

The Eurovision Song Contest will take place in Malmo, Sweden tomorrow at 3PM EDT.  Only Peacock carries it in the USA.

• 37 countries participating.
• 10 countries remain in competition.  One of them is Bambie Thug from Ireland.

• 
  Being held in Sweden because the winner Lorene is from there, the first female to do this for a second time.  Watch her Tatoo.
• Last year Princess of Wales Kate Middleton played a piano in a surprise cameo, for the competition was held in the UK.

• 
  One of the favorites is Croatian techno-punk singer Baby Lasagna (right).
• Another is Eden Golan of Israel.  Serious protests are occurring about Israel's war policy.

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