Audio: Manhattan Judge Juan M. Merchan explains Donald Trump's unconditional discharge sentence

In an audio recording from Trump's hush money sentencing, a judge explains the reasoning behind the unconditional discharge sentence.

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[soulesskoma]

So judge waited for him to get elected to make a judgement only for him to be like “he discharged Cus he’s president” lmao…

[Jan]

How the hell can the judge instruct the jury that they don't have to agree? Isn't that the point of a jury?

[logiczchance]

7 useless minutes that i will never be able to take back. just ongoing rambling and non sense. such utter desperation on the judge's part.

[brianyu]

The judge sentencing can comfort most Trump hater’s 💜 by calling the 47th president of USA a convicted criminal 😅.

[MyBibleMyLife]

I think judges like this who instruct the jurors " You are not required to agree or come to a common agreement about the issue" should be sent to jail. He is misusing the law of the land. He thinks he is in Mexico or Guatemala but isn't there!

[Broomtwo]

One of the most evil judges to ever be on the bench

[interqward]

'The facts of the case?' What 'facts of the case??' This judge instructed the jurors they were not required to agree on the original 'hypothetical crime' that the defendant was supposedly 'paying off' someone over.

[Wayne_Nero]

I guess Trump will pardon himself. So he will have no criminal record

[fanyinU]

I now see what power and money can do in USA.

[exknoll]

What a joke. I’d be sent to Guantanamo bay.

[VeronicaMoreno-qdyh]

*Merchan, the kingpin of the USA kangaroo court system.*

[pgy]

I think I just threw up on my keyboard.

[garyarndt]

THIS JUDGE NEEDS TO BE REMOVED ASAP WHERE IS THE COMISSION ON JUDICAL CONDUCT !!!

[issafraud]

What’s the point of a conviction if it carries literally not a single consequence?

[BlissDecision]

what is the case about? giving a check to a lady that never asked for it, and enjoyed a voluntary romantic weekend ?

[OperationFrigateBird]

This is the Democrat-Marxist's version of a Soviet show trial. We CANNOT let this become the accepted standard. What this judge did, particularly during the evidence, cross-examination, and instruction to jury, was nothing short of a modern day version of what the Soviets did 90 years ago. This CANNOT become the standard.

[edwilson]

What a clown show. Merchan needs to be removed and have all his trials looked at to see if he railroaded anyone else, which I'm sure he has.

[LithaMoonSong]

the judge threw democracy under the bus, that lad better not show his face around felons with similar crimes, he won't be liking the outcome of two tier justice at all.

[logiczchance]

translation of 'i sentence you to unconditional discharge' = i have authority here, but unfortunately for me this is utterly irrelevant, corrupt, and embarrassing

[Frito-Bandito]

What happened to “nobody is above the law”?