Sorry for another post about this but I keep reading everything I can from all sides on this Trump verdict. I knew it was coming because we all knew this jury would be completely biased against Trump. I don't think they ever considered the charges or the evidence. This was a case of he's Trump, therefore he must be guilty. That is exactly how the judge laid out the instructions.
Trump is going to appeal this and I have read a bunch of reasons for appeal, all are valid. I do not think the Manhattan appeals court will allow his appeal, and I think the state appeals court will just drag their feet until it no longer matters. They may keep him out of prison if Merchan sentences him as I expect he will, but they are not going to overturn his verdict before 2025. Of that I am certain. Trump needs to get this case to the Supreme Court, which is a difficult task considering the calendar.
I believe a jail sentence actually helps Trump with an emergency appeal. Keeping him from campaigning would give Trump good cause to make an emergency request of an expedited hearing by the SCOTUS, like they did for Bush-Gore in 2000. I believe the Supreme Court will vacate this verdict on multiple grounds, from civil rights violations to due process. I am hoping the court sends a strong reprimand to the lower courts, and judge Merchan for such a shoddy case and conduct during the trial. But the Roberts court has so far been unwilling to take a strong position on anything. My hope is they see how far the abuse of the legal system has gone and finally set things back in order.
One final point I will make, as bad as this is already, not just in NY, but also in DC and places like Fulton County Georgia, it will be much worse if the Democrats ever get a majority on the Supreme Court. Never, ever forget their willingness to toss aside propriety, the constitution and decency far exceeds the principles of conservatives. Simply put, they bring nukes to a knife fight. And they are willing to use them to get their outcome.