Courtroom sketches capture former President Donald Trump's arraignment after cameras, phones, and electronics were banned at the start of the proceedings

Lauren Frias

April 4, 2023 at 8:32 PM·3 min read

In a courtroom sketch, Donald Trump, accompanied by his legal counsel, looks at Assistant District Attorney Christopher Conroy during Trump's arraignment in New York.Elizabeth Williams/AP

Trump appeared in court for his arraignment on Tuesday.
Three courtroom sketch artists captured scenes from inside the Manhattan courtroom where it happened.
The illustrations documented what cameras couldn't after electronics were banned from the courtroom.

Courtroom sketches captured the arraignment of former President Donald Trump after cameras, phones, and electronics were banned at the start of the proceedings on Tuesday.

Trump is the first current or former US president to ever face criminal charges. He was arrested on Tuesday afternoon following his Thursday indictment.

Trump pleaded not guilty to 34 felony counts of falsifying business records. The charges were related to a yearslong investigation into Trump's role in a $130,000 election-eve hush-money payment made by his former lawyer, Michael Cohen, to the porn star Stormy Daniels, back in 2016.

Though cameras swarmed outside the Manhattan courtroom where Trump was arraigned, public access to the hearing was limited.

A view of the courtroom where Donald Trump appeared an arraignment on charges stemming from his indictment by a Manhattan grand jury following a probe into hush money paid to porn star Stormy Daniels — Former President Donald Trump appears in court for an arraignment on charges stemming from his indictment by a Manhattan grand jury following a probe into hush money paid to porn star Stormy Daniels, in New York City on April 4, 2023.Andrew Kelly/Pool/Reuters

Reporters for a few publications were let in through the doors, but they were asked to leave shortly after 2 p.m., before proceedings kicked off.

Source: Insider

Only 3 courtroom sketch artists remained in the room to document Trump's day in court.

Former President Donald Trump sits at a table with counsel during an arraignment in New York City in a courtroom sketch. Police officers are seen in the background. — Former President Donald Trump appears in court for an arraignment on charges related to an investigation into hush money paid to porn star Stormy Daniels.Jane Rosenberg/Reuters

Ahead of the hearing, Merchan banned the use of all electronic devices including cell phones and laptops.

Prosecutors accused Trump and others of an "unlawful scheme" by paying off Stormy Daniels to suppress negative information about him during the 2016 election, per Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg.

Former President Donald Trump looks over his shoulder in court for an arraignment. Justice Juan Merchan and two security personnel are seen in the background. — Former President Donald Trump appears in court for an arraignment.Jane Rosenberg/Reuters

Bragg spoke about the nearly three dozen felony charges leveled against Trump during a news conference after the hearing.

"That is exactly what this case is about: 34 false statements made to cover up other crimes," Bragg said. "These are felony crimes in New York state no matter who you are. We cannot and will not normalize serious criminal conduct."

Source: Insider, Manhattan District Attorney

An illustration by courtroom sketch artist Christine Cornell shows Trump listening with a stoic expression as New York prosecutors presented their case against him.

—NBC News (@NBCNews) April 4, 2023

Trump only spoke 9 words throughout the arraignment. The first 2 were "Not guilty."

In a courtroom sketch, Donald Trump is seen beside defense attorney Joseph Tacopina as the Clerk of the Court reads the charges against the former president. — In a courtroom sketch, Donald Trump is seen pleading not guilty as the Clerk of the Court reads the charges.Elizabeth Williams/AP

Trump did not smile and hardly spoke during the hearing, and gave single-word answers to questions from Merchan, Insider's Azmi Haroun and Jacob Shamsian reported.

Source: Insider

New York Supreme Court Justice Juan Merchan recognized the unprecedented nature of Trump's indictment.

A courtroom sketch shows Justice Juan Merchan speaking during the arraignment of Donald Trump in New York City on April 4, 2023.Jane Rosenberg/Reuters

"That this indictment involves a matter of monumental significance cannot possibly be disputed," Merchan wrote in a court order on Monday.

"Never in the history of the United States has a sitting or past President been indicted on criminal charges," Merchan added.

Source: Insider

Read the original article on Business Insider

TODAY
Chick-fil-A is bringing back this frosty drink after a 5-year hiatus
Chick-fil-A is bringing back the Key Lime Frosted Lemonade after a five-year hiatus, as well as the Grilled Spicy Deluxe Sandwich, for a limited time.
NBC News
Judge rejects Jan. 6 defendant's request to attend Trump's inauguration
A judge rejected a request from a Jan. 6 defendant to attend President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration after the man was invited by a former member of Congress, according to a court document.
CBS News
579 animals killed after fire rips through Northwest Dallas shopping center
Most of the animals died of smoke inhalation, officials said. They included birds, chickens, hamsters, dogs and cats.
AFP
South Korea's political crisis: what could happen next?
South Korean investigators attempted to arrest impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol at his residence Friday over a failed martial law bid but were blocked by his security forces.But executing this type of warrant, even if issued by the court, may not be feasible if Yoon again refuses to leave his residence with the assistance of his security forces, which include a military unit.
Associated Press
New Orleans attack came as officials warned of an escalating threat of international terrorism
After Hamas launched the deadly assault on Israel that triggered retaliatory airstrikes on Gaza, FBI Director Christopher Wray said he feared the Middle East violence could embolden individuals or groups to carry out attacks inside the United States. Months later, after extremists with the Islamic State group's Afghanistan affiliate killed more than 140 people at a Russian concert hall, Wray sounded the alarm about the potential for a similar coordinated attack closer to home. Following these months of warnings about a resurgent terrorism threat, an Army veteran inspired by IS slammed a pickup truck into crowds celebrating New Year's in New Orleans.
Associated Press
Trump's sentencing is set for Jan. 10. Here's what could happen next
Faced with the never-before-seen dilemma of how, when or even whether to sentence a former and future U.S. president, the judge in President-elect Donald Trump 's hush money case made a dramatic decision that could nevertheless bring the case to a muted end. In a ruling Friday, Manhattan Judge Juan M. Merchan scheduled the sentencing for 10 days before Trump's inauguration — but the judge indicated that he's leaning toward a sentence that would amount to just closing the case without any real punishment. Trump wants the conviction thrown out and the case dismissed, and communications director Steven Cheung said the president-elect will “keep fighting.”
Associated Press
What to know as snow, freezing rain and bitter cold heads through much of the US
A major winter storm forecast to produce heavy snow, significant ice and frigid temperatures was set to begin in the central U.S. on Saturday and move east over the next several days, according to the National Weather Service. A large system made landfall along the West Coast on Friday afternoon, bringing rain to the Pacific Northwest with snow expected in the Cascade Mountains, according to meteorologists.
Associated Press
The fragile Israel-Hezbollah truce is holding so far, despite violations
A fragile ceasefire between Israel and the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah has held up for over a month, even as its terms seem unlikely to be met by the agreed-upon deadline. The deal struck on Nov. 27 to halt the war required Hezbollah to immediately lay down its arms in southern Lebanon and gave Israel 60 days to withdraw its forces there and hand over control to the Lebanese army and U.N. peacekeepers. Hezbollah, which was severely diminished during nearly 14 months of war, has threatened to resume fighting if Israel does not fully withdraw its forces by the 60-day deadline.
Associated Press
Jimmy Carter's state funeral starts Saturday. Here is what to know
Six days of funeral observances for former President Jimmy Carter begin Saturday in Georgia, where he died on Dec. 29 at the age of 100. The first events reflect Carter’s climb up the political ladder, from the tiny town of Plains, Georgia, to decades on the global stage as a humanitarian and advocate for democracy. The proceedings, streamed on apnews.com and the Associated Press YouTube channel, are schelued to begin at 10:15 a.m. EST Saturday with the Carter family arriving at Phoebe Sumter Medical Center in Americus.
AFP
EV sales hit record in UK but still behind target
The UK car industry sold a record number of all-electric vehicles in 2024 but still fell short of the government's mandated targets, an industry trade body said Saturday.The SMMT reported a "record annual volume" of 382,000 battery electric vehicles sold in the UK last year.
AFP
Biden blocks US Steel sale to Japan's Nippon Steel
US Steel and Nippon Steel threatened legal action Friday after President Joe Biden blocked a controversial $14.9 billion deal for the Japanese company to buy its American rival."That is why I am taking action to block this deal."
AFP
South Korea in political crisis after president resists arrest
South Korea's political leadership was in uncharted territory Saturday after the sitting president resisted arrest over a failed martial law decree days before the warrant expires.The South Korean president was impeached and suspended last month after the bungled martial law declaration -- a political move swiftly overturned by parliament -- with a separate warrant later issued for his arrest.
Reuters
Suspect in Fiji rape of Virgin Australia flight crew to face judge on Monday
Authorities in Fiji have charged a man with the alleged rape and sexual assault of a 21-year-old member of a Virgin Australia flight crew on New Year's Day, a police official in the Pacific island nation said on Saturday. The suspect "will be produced in court on Monday", after having been taken into custody on Wednesday, acting police commissioner Juki Fong Chew said in an email that confirmed a report by Australian Broadcasting Corp, but did not elaborate.
NBC News
Judge orders Trump to be sentenced in hush money case on Jan. 10, but says he won't be incarcerated
The judge presiding over the hush money case against President-elect Donald Trump on Friday denied his bid to dismiss the case and said he'll sentence him on Jan.
USA TODAY
Tattoo artist sentenced to prison for trafficking human remains
Federal authorities busted a ring of people trafficking in stolen human remains that stretched from Harvard Medical School to Arkansas.
CNN
His parents said their son had ‘the biggest heart.’ He’s one of the victims of the Bourbon Street attack
A loving father of two, a former college football player, and a student from the University of Alabama were among the 14 people killed when a rented pickup truck plowed into a crowd celebrating the New Year in New Orleans during Wednesday’s early hours.
NBC News
Los Angeles County DA says he has not made a decision about resentencing Menendez brothers
Los Angeles County’s top prosecutor said Friday that he had not made a decision about whether the prison sentences for Erik and Lyle Menendez, who are serving life without parole for the heavily publicized 1989 murders of their parents, should be reduced.
CNN
State Department notifies Congress of planned $8 billion arms sale to Israel
The State Department has informally notified Congress that it intends to sell $8 billion in arms to Israel, a US official and another source familiar with the matter told CNN.
TODAY
Broccoli sold at Walmart recalled in 20 states over listeria concerns — what to know
Bags of broccoli florets that were sold at Walmart stores in 20 states have now been voluntarily recalled due to concerns over possible listeria contamination.
NBC News
Vehicle attacks are difficult to prevent — but New Orleans fell short, experts say
New Orleans has 700-pound steel barriers but did not put them on Bourbon Street until a day after the attack, which the lieutenant governor called “a complete failure of responsibility.”

Latest Stories