Donald J. Trump’s lawyers have taken a new angle in their efforts to overturn his Manhattan criminal conviction, alleging juror misconduct in a case already marked by contentious legal battles. However, their latest claim has been met with skepticism by the judge overseeing the matter.
Allegations of Juror Bias
In a recently unsealed letter to Justice Juan M. Merchan, Mr. Trump’s legal team claimed to have “evidence of grave juror misconduct” during the trial, which led to the former president’s conviction on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records. The accusations suggest the jury was not impartial, with a spokesman for Mr. Trump hinting at potential political bias within the jury room.
However, the exact nature of the alleged misconduct remains unclear. The letter, along with related responses from prosecutors, was heavily redacted, and the identity of the whistle-blower who reportedly raised the concerns is unknown. Prosecutors have argued that the whistle-blower has since distanced themselves from the accusations, disputing the defense’s portrayal of events and declining to provide a sworn statement.
Judge Rebukes Trump’s Claims
Justice Merchan has cast doubt on the validity of the allegations, dismissing them as “mere hearsay and conjecture.” In a letter to both the defense and prosecution, he stated that juror misconduct claims must be backed by concrete evidence, noting that Mr. Trump’s lawyers had opposed a hearing to examine the accusations.
“Allegations of juror misconduct should be thoroughly investigated,” Justice Merchan wrote. “However, this court is prohibited from deciding such claims on the basis of mere hearsay and conjecture.”
For now, the claims will not factor into the judge’s decision on whether to overturn the conviction. However, Mr. Trump’s legal team is expected to include the allegations in their appeal of the case, potentially seeking further substantiation down the line.
A String of Legal Setbacks
This latest move comes amid a series of unsuccessful attempts by Mr. Trump’s team to overturn the Manhattan conviction, stemming from allegations that he falsified records to cover up a sex scandal. The judge has already rejected arguments invoking presidential immunity and claims of bias against the state court.
Earlier efforts to move the case to federal court were similarly dismissed, with a federal judge ruling that the trial properly fell under state jurisdiction. That decision is currently being appealed.
Supreme Court Ruling Falls Flat
Mr. Trump’s lawyers also pointed to a recent Supreme Court ruling on presidential immunity, arguing that testimony from former White House staff contaminated the trial. Justice Merchan found the argument unconvincing, stating that the testimony pertained to Mr. Trump’s unofficial conduct and did not infringe upon the Supreme Court’s protections for presidential acts.
Even if the evidence was admitted in error, the judge said, the overwhelming proof of Mr. Trump’s guilt rendered any such error “harmless.”
Trump Strikes Back on Social Media
In characteristic fashion, Mr. Trump responded to Justice Merchan’s rulings with harsh criticism on social media, calling the judge “incompetent” and describing his decisions as “psychotic.” He also doubled down on claims that his conviction was a politically motivated “witch hunt.”
A Long Shot for Reversal
Despite the ongoing legal maneuvers, experts believe Mr. Trump faces steep odds in overturning his conviction. The accusations of juror misconduct lack clear evidence, and the case against him was bolstered by what the judge described as “overwhelming evidence of guilt.”
Nevertheless, Mr. Trump’s legal team continues to push forward, citing his electoral victory as a reason to reconsider the case. Justice Merchan is expected to rule on the matter in the coming days, but the path to overturning the jury’s decision remains narrow.