The softly spoken Judge Juan Merchan holds the fate of brash former president Donald Trump in his hands
Adding to the unknowns is the fact that Trump’s team is likely to appeal the verdict, meaning the judge could allow the 77-year-old to avoid serving any punishment until those appeals are exhausted. Professor Phelps said the judge was clearly taking pains to limit “political chaos” during the trial, but any potential fines will be in keeping with his multiple felony offences.
“The Judge ‘assigned’ to my Witch Hunt Case, a ‘Case’ that has NEVER BEEN CHARGED BEFORE, HATES ME. His name is Juan Manuel Marchan,” Mr Trump wrote on social media, misspelling his name. The judge has been the subject of controversy after it emerged he had donated money to the Democrats during the 2020 campaign, including $15 to Joe Biden – going against New York state rules that prohibit judges from making political donations.