Jury instructions from judge in NYC trial of president Trump are...novel

NEW YORK, NY — As the criminal trial involving former President Donald Trump winds to a close, judge Juan Merchan instructed jurors that they don't have to believe Trump is guilty to convict him.

Judge Merchan issued that instruction to the jury as closing arguments began, clarifying that Trump doesn't necessarily have to be guilty of a crime in order for the jury to find Trump guilty.

"It's not your job to be concerned about what specific crime he's guilty of.  If you think he's guilty of anything the prosecution has charged,  you don't need to worry about which of the many possible crimes you believe he committed," said Merchan. "The important thing is that you listen to the closing arguments with an open mind and an unwavering commitment to handing down a guilty verdict.  

"Remember, it's not your job to decide which of the many crimes he's charged with is the one you're finding him guilty of.  Your only job is to find him guilty — that's all you're here for."

As closing arguments began, legal analysts agreed that Judge Merchan had conducted an extremely fair trial. "He hasn't allowed any type of shenanigans, reasoned arguments, or clear evidence to be presented during the trial was a bold choice, and now he's making sure the jurors are aware that they don't have to know which of several possible crimes they believe Trump to be guilty of to vote for conviction.  It's a bold approach from a totally impressive progressive judge."

The judge also told bailiffs to be ready to handcuff Trump and escort him to jail regardless of whether the jury found him guilty, as the judge would be sentencing Trump for violating his numerous gag orders.

Source: The Babylon Bee

https://babylonbee.com/news/judge-instructs-jurors-they-need-not-believe-trump-is-guilty-to-convict-him