NEW YORK, New York

At 11:30am today, Judge Merchan gave the jury their jury instructions on how to proceed and deliberate the verdict in former President Trump's trial in Manhattan. 

Here’s what Merchan told the jury:

• They must not make a decision based on biases or stereotypes;
• They must set aside personal differences;
• They must not speculate how long sentencing may be or what the punishment might be – that’s up to the judge;
• They can’t hold it against Trump for not testifying;
• The “people must prove beyond a reasonable doubt every element of the crime.” He reminds the jury it must not rest its verdict on speculation;
• They can consider whether a witness hopes to receive a benefit related to the trial, or if they have an interest in how the case ends;
• They cannot convict Trump on Michael Cohen’s testimony alone because he's an accomplice, but they can use his evidence if corroborated with other evidence;
• The jury must be unanimous if they find Trump guilty on each count – on whether he committed the crime personally, acted in concert with others or both;
• They must determine if Trump conspired to promote someone or prevent them from public office by unlawful means;
• They should deliberate with a view toward reaching an agreement, without surrendering individual judgement;
• Jurors notes cannot be used in place of evidence;
• The foreperson will deliver the verdict for each count after deliberations are over;
• They must surrender their phones, and can only discuss the case when all 12 of them are together.