(Manhattan, NY) – A recent social media post has prompted scrutiny over potential jury misconduct in former President Donald Trump’s ongoing legal proceedings. The post, allegedly made by a user named Michael Anderson, claimed insider knowledge about the trial’s outcome, stating, “My cousin is a juror and said Trump is getting convicted.”
This comment, flagged by Judge Juan Merchan in a letter dated Friday, was reportedly posted in response to a routine court notice on May 29, concerning unrelated oral arguments. Judge Merchan noted that the comment was labeled as being a week old, highlighting its timing and context.
Under New York criminal procedure law, a defendant who has been convicted by a jury but not yet sentenced can move to set aside the verdict if there is evidence of jury misconduct. If it is proven that such misconduct could have affected a substantial right of the defendant, the remedy would be a new trial.
Judge Merchan addressed the issue formally, stating, “The Court became aware of a comment that was posted on the Unified Court System’s public Facebook page and which I now bring to your attention.” This potential issue could have significant implications for the proceedings.
As of Friday afternoon, attorneys for Trump and a spokesperson for the Manhattan District Attorney’s office had not responded to requests for comment. The development adds another layer of complexity to a high-profile case that continues to unfold under intense public scrutiny.
