Donald Trump became the first former U.S. president to be convicted of a crime May 30 when a New York jury found him guilty of falsifying documents to cover up a payment to silence a porn star ahead of the 2016 election.
After deliberations over two days, the 12-member jury announced it had found Trump guilty on all 34 counts he faced. Unanimity was required for any verdict.
Trump watched the jurors dispassionately as they were polled to confirm the guilty verdict.
Presiding judge Juan Merchan set sentencing for July 11, days before the July 15 start of the Republican National Convention expected to formally nominate Trump for president.
The verdict plunges the United States into unexplored territory ahead of the Nov. 5 presidential election, when Trump, the Republican candidate, will try to win the White House back from Democratic President Joe Biden.
Trump, 77, has denied wrongdoing and was expected to appeal.
“This was a disgrace. This was a rigged trial by a conflicted judge who is corrupt,” Trump told reporters afterward.
“The real verdict is going to be Nov. 5 by the people,” Trump said, adding: “I am a very innocent man.”(Reuters)