Former President Donald Trump's legal team is holding onto hope for a mistrial as the trial progresses. A source familiar with the team has revealed that they view a mistrial as the best likely outcome at this point.
However, concerns have arisen regarding the potential impact of an 'Allen charge' on a deadlocked jury. An Allen charge, also known as a dynamite charge, is a directive given by the judge when a jury reports being deadlocked. The purpose of this charge is to urge the jury to continue deliberations and strive for unanimity to avoid a mistrial. Importantly, an Allen charge does not mandate jurors to alter their votes or reach a final verdict.
Trump's legal team is apprehensive about the implications of an Allen charge in this high-stakes case. The source disclosed that there is a fear that the jury might feel pressured to reach a compromise verdict to prevent a mistrial, particularly on charges related to the checks signed by Trump.
Despite the deadlock possibility, the Trump team perceives the Allen charge as an additional obstacle they must overcome to secure a favorable outcome in the trial.