Former President Trump returns to the courtroom, Thursday, May 30, 2024, in New York City. (Michael M. Santiago/Pool Photo via AP)
"I believe that the case will be reversed eventually either in the state or federal systems," Jonathan Turley, constitutional law attorney and Fox News contributor, said Thursday.
"However, this was the worst expectation for a trial in Manhattan," he said. "I had hoped that the jurors might redeem the integrity of a system that has been used for political purposes."
"The trial is a target rich environment for appeal. However, that appeal will stretch beyond the election. In the meantime, Democrats and President Biden can add ‘convicted felon’ to the political mantra," he said.
John Malcolm, a former federal prosecutor, told Fox News Digital that he believes the jury’s verdict indicates they were convinced by the testimony of Trump ex-lawyer Michael Cohen – whom Trump’s defense labeled a "GLOAT" or "greatest liar of all time."
"The jury obviously ended up believing Michael Cohen, which is something I have a hard time conceiving since Michael Cohen has lied every time he has been under oath in the past and admitted that he hates Donald Trump, blaming him for all his problems, stole from him, and will profit from this conviction," Malcolm said.
TRUMP PREVIEWS CLOSING ARGUMENTS IN 'SHAM TRIAL': 'VERY DANGEROUS DAY FOR AMERICA'
Former President Trump attends his criminal trial at Manhattan Criminal Court on May 29, 2024, in New York City. (Charly Triballeau-Pool/Getty Images)
Malcolm observed that the jury instructions given by Judge Juan Merchan "dramatically favored the prosecution, telling them that while they had to unanimously conclude that Trump caused a false business entry to be made for the purpose of concealing ‘another crime.'"
"They did not have to be unanimous as to what that other crime was. This will be one of the many issues that Trump’s legal team will raise on appeal," Malcolm said, adding that he would "not be surprised if this conviction gets overturned, but that is unlikely to happen before the election."
Turley added that the verdict – marking the first time in the U.S. a former president has been convicted of a crime – is a moment to have "a leap of faith in the rule of law."
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
"[F]or those upset by this verdict, remember this remains a country committed to the rule of law and this is going to go up on appeal," Turley said. "I think it’s going to be reversed in the state or federal systems. But it's moments like this when you're on the other side, when you disagree with a verdict, that you have to take a leap of faith in the rule of law. It's what defines us," Turley told Fox News’ Shannon Bream on Thursday.
"Many people feel that this case really embodies the antithesis of that. But as a country, as a whole, we have a system in place to review this. For Donald Trump, that's not going to happen before the election, in all likelihood," he said.
Brianna Herlihy is a politics writer for Fox News Digital.
Get the latest updates from the 2024 campaign trail, exclusive interviews and more Fox News politics content.
Subscribed
You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter!
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/legal-experts-say-trump-conviction-target-rich-environment-appeal