Jurors begin deliberating in Trump hush-money trial

Former US president faces 34 felony charges of falsifying business records

Former US president and Republican candidate Donald Trump arrives to speak to the press after he was convicted in his criminal trial in New York. AFP

Trump stands surrounded by his legal team as he exits the courtroom. AFP

A television screen shows the news of the verdict in Trump's criminal trial. Reuters

A man holds a placard outside Manhattan criminal court following the verdict. Reuters

A demonstrator holds a placard outside the court following the verdict. Reuters

Trump alongside his lawyer Todd Blanche ahead of jury deliberations during his criminal trial for allegedly covering up hush-money payments. AFP

Representative Maria Elvira Salazar was one of many politicians who attended the New York trial to show support for Trump. EPA

A court sketch of Robert Costello being cross-examined by prosecutor Susan Hoffinger before Judge Juan Merchan. Reuters

A court sketch of Trump yawning during the trial. Media outlets reported the former president has often been seen keeping his eyes closed during proceedings. Reuters

Michael Cohen, former lawyer and fixer for Trump, testified against the former president. Reuters

Stormy Daniels, the adult film star who allegedly received a hush-money payment from the Trump campaign in 2016, leaves court. AFP

A sketch shows jurors taking notes as Ms Daniels testifies on May 7. Elizabeth Williams / AP

Judge Juan Merchan is presiding over Trump's case. AP

Eric Trump, Donald Trump Jr and the former president's daughter-in-law, Lara Trump, arrive at the court. Reuters

Trump supporters gather near the courthouse in New York. Getty Images / AFP

Trump supporters post signs as they gather near the courthouse during the trial. Getty Images / AFP

Members of the media wait in front of the courthouse in Manhattan. Getty Images / AFP

Trump speaks during a rally in the South Bronx in New York during a day off from his trial. Getty Images / AFP

Trump awaits the start of his trial earlier in the week in New York. AP

The jury in Donald Trump's hush-money trial started deliberations on Wednesday, a milestone in the first criminal case against a former US president, and will continue to do so on Thursday.

The 12-member jury will have law and case instructions by Judge Juan Merchan be re-read to them when they re-convene on Thursday morning, something they had requested.

The jurors also requested that four parts of testimonies be re-read to them.

The former president is facing 34 felony charges on falsifying business records, along with his fixer Michael Cohen and with publications, to cover up payments and keep scandalous stories from becoming public during his 2016 campaign.

The alleged stories included an affair with adult film performer Stormy Daniels, who testified in the trial, and another with a former Playboy model Karen McDougal.

Mr Trump has denied extramarital relationships with Daniels and McDougal. He has also pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The jury heard testimony from more than 20 witnesses over five weeks.

“As a juror, you are asked to make a very important decision about another member of the community,” he said.

The six alternate jurors were ordered to stay on standby.

Jurors have to decide beyond reasonable doubt whether Mr Trump created a fraudulent entry in his company's records – or had someone else do it – and did so with the intent of covering up another crime.

They also have to decide if Mr Trump intentionally falsified business records to hide a crime to benefit his electoral campaign, which is a felony violation of a New York election law.

Any verdict to either convict or acquit him must be unanimous among the 12-member jury.

If found guilty, falsifying business records could result in up to four years in prison, although such an outcome is unlikely because imprisonment doesn't happen often for first-time offenders.

It is possible that a mistrial could occur if the jury cannot reach an unanimous verdict.

The jury was dismissed after more than four hours of deliberations on Wednesday afternoon.

This is the first court trial of any US president – sitting or former.

He did not testify, even after saying several times he wanted to.

Mr Merchan said Mr Trump and his lawyers were required to remain in the Manhattan court in New York during deliberations.

After the jury began deliberations, Mr Trump published a string of posts on his Truth Social platform.

"These charges are rigged. The whole thing is rigged," he said in a post, claiming that Mother Teresa "could not beat these charges".

Mr Trump is also facing legal challenges related to allegedly trying to subvert the 2020 election results, when he lost to Democrat Joe Biden, and mishandling classified documents after his presidency ended.

The New York case is most likely to be the only one to go to trial before the November 5 presidential election, in which it is presumed he will face off with Mr Biden again.

Mr Trump has claimed that the legal cases against him are "election interference".