The Bigly Deliberation

As the jury retire Donald Trump seems to be preparing his supporters for a guilty verdict by telling people Mother Theresa couldn't get off.  One can almost hear Arthur Daley saying it's "A diabolical liberty, Terry...". But is that certain?

The nub of the case I have now deduced (although it's not crystal clear) is that Trump's pay off of Stormy Daniels was a "hidden campaign contribution" which took him above his personal campaign limit (which for individuals is very low).

The falsified business records designed to conceal this payment are therefore treated as some form of money laundering.  The Judge said it is illegal to make a false tax statement even if the tax authorities do not lose revenue as a result

...

Trump's possible best defence is that he had some other motivation than winning the election for paying the huge sum to Stormy... Such as he loved his wife.... Although Cohen said that Trump said "How long do you think I would be on the shelf for [if she left me]".  That's the Melania who's never been to court let alone testified.  I don't care, do you?

Given Cohen has already done porridge for the payments I think it unlikely the Jury will return a Not Guilty ... But it may well hang ...which could be interesting.

Now it is in the hands of 12 New Yorkers there are no more runes to read...