‘CRAZY’: CNN Expert SLAMS Judge Merchan’s Handling Of Critical Jury Instructions

New York’s trial of former President Donald Trump took an unexpected twist that left experts confused and one CNN analyst branding the proceedings as “crazy.” The spotlight fell sharply on Judge Juan Merchan’s handling of critical jury instructions as the case headed toward deliberation. The case is centered around 34 counts of falsified business records related to the alleged hush money payment to adult film actor Stormy Daniels.

The trial, which has captured the nation’s attention due to its high-profile defendant, concluded its jury instructions Wednesday morning. After a brief sidebar discussion between Judge Merchan and the attorneys, the jury was dismissed to begin deliberations in what many are calling an unprecedented legal showdown.

David Oscar Markus, a seasoned criminal defense attorney, was in disbelief on CNN today over the judge’s decisions during this crucial phase. “The jury must be overwhelmed,” Markus said. “To have all of these instructions just read to them without them getting a copy is going to be overwhelming for them.”

Traditionally, jurors are given a written copy of the instructions to refer to during their deliberations. However, in this case, they will only have their notes and the option to ask for instructions to be reread, a situation Markus criticized heavily. “It’s crazy that the lawyers were not able to discuss the instructions in their closings yesterday,” he added. “Typically, lawyers can go through the instructions and explain why they’ve met them or why the government hasn’t met them.”

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The absence of the critical discussion phase means jurors are left to piece together the legal puzzle on their own, a daunting task given the complexity and significance of the case. “The jurors right now must be wondering what all this is about,” Markus explained.

During the jury instructions, Judge Merchan took over an hour to explain the laws in question, reminding jurors to set aside any personal biases. Importantly, he alluded that the burden of proof lies with the prosecution, not the defense, which is not required to prove Trump’s innocence. The jury, which must remain in the jury room during deliberations, will have no access to their cell phones and can only deliberate when all members are present. They will discuss the case only among themselves, without any outside influence, even from the court officer. If they have questions, they will write a note to the judge, who is forbidden from discussing the facts of the case but will facilitate the legal process as needed.

Since leaving the courtroom, Trump has been active on Truth Social, posting over 20 times. Each post featured quotes from commentators that support his position or criticized the proceedings against him. In one notable post, Trump expressed his frustration with the charges, writing, “Mother Teresa could not beat these charges. These charges are rigged. The whole thing is rigged!”

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