Trump trial live updates: No verdict today, jury returns Thursday
The jury is deliberating in Donald Trump's hush money trial in New York.
NEW YORK -- Former President Donald Trump is on trial in New York City, where he is facing felony charges related to a 2016 hush money payment to adult film actress Stormy Daniels. It marks the first time in history that a former U.S. president has been tried on criminal charges.
Trump last April pleaded not guilty to a 34-count indictment charging him with falsifying business records in connection with a hush money payment his then-attorney Michael Cohen made to Daniels in order to boost his electoral prospects in the 2016 presidential election.
What are the potential outcomes of Trump's hush money trial?
Court adjourns for the day
Court in Donald Trump's hush money case has adjourned for the day. Proceedings will resume on Thursday at 9:30 a.m.
Judge to ponder dispute over requested testimony
Judge Merchan returned to the bench to check on how the search for the jury's requested readback material was coming.
"Where do we stand?" the judge asked.
Prosecutor Josh Steinglass said there were a "few outstanding issues" requiring Merchan's intervention.
Steinglass said the parties were in agreement about three of the four requests, but disagreed over the relevant portion of the transcript regarding David's Pecker's testimony about the 2016 Trump Tower meeting.
Steinglass said the lawyers disagreed over whether the jury should hear a portion of Pecker's testimony regarding what he relayed about the meeting to then-National Enquirer editor Dylan Howard.
"We tried to draw a line between the substance of the meeting and the execution," Steinglass told the judge.
"I can see why Mr. Blanche has some concerns about most of this," Merchan said after reviewing that portion of the transcript himself.
Prosecutor Josh Steinglass walked Judge Merchan through each of the disputed portions of the transcript regarding the 2016 Trump Tower meeting, detailing the page and line number for each disputed portion that the jury had requested be read back.
For some of the portions, defense attorney Todd Blanche expressed concern about providing too much information -- not just regarding the topic of the meeting but its repercussions -- while Steinglass argued that some of the testimony could create confusion for the jury.
"This issue is both confusing and difficult to correct," Steinglass said.
Merchan said that "for the sake of time," he would take the transcript with him after the proceedings conclude and make a decision.
Told about about another dispute, Merchan said, "I will take this with me into chambers and let you know what I think."
Why gathering requested testimony takes so long
One reason why the process of gathering requested testimony for the jury is somewhat painstaking is that witnesses aren't always asked about events in one fell swoop.
Sometimes lawyers will return to a topic at different points in their questioning, and the same events can be covered again and again on direct examination and cross-examination. One of the goals of sifting through the transcripts is to ensure that no relevant testimony is left out.
The lawyers also want to make sure that testimony they feel isn't relevant to the jury's request is left out of whatever is read back to the panel. Opposing sides often debate what is and isn't pertinent.
Judge confers with attorneys on readback material
After dismissing the jury for the day, Judge Merchan asked the lawyers not to leave the courtroom until they decide the portion for the jury's requested readback.
"Yes, your honor," defense attorney Todd Blanche responded.
As the lawyers met with Merchan at the bench, Trump leaned back in his seat at the defense table, with his arm resting on the top of his chair.
Blanche asked if Trump could return the his waiting area while the attorneys searched for the readback material.
Merchan said he would allow it as long as Trump remained nearby in case he is needed.
Trump slowly walked out of the courtroom, scowling as he left.
