NEW YORK — A Manhattan jury began deliberating in former President Donald Trump’s hush money trial Wednesday after the judge instructed them on the laws that must guide whether they label the presumptive GOP nominee a felon.

The panel of seven men and five women will decide if Mr. Trump becomes the first former president to be convicted of a crime. A verdict in the campaign may come at any time, making it a tense and pivotal moment in U.S. history.

“You are the judges of the fact, and you are responsible for deciding if the defendant is guilty or not guilty,” state Supreme Court Judge Juan Merchan told jurors.

Prosecutors allege Mr. Trump paid $130,000 in hush money to porn star Stormy Daniels near the 2016 election and criminally concealed a campaign-related effort by logging a series of reimbursement checks to his lawyer, Michael Cohen, as payment for legal expenses.

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg entered a large pile of evidence in the case, so deliberations may take a long time even if jurors from the liberal stronghold of New York are eager to convict.

Some jurors might find the defense proved reasonable doubt and push for acquittal, or induce a hung jury, prolonging the process beyond the weekend.

Judge Merchan instructed jurors on the law for roughly an hour.

• Tom Howell Jr. can be reached at thowell@washingtontimes.com.