The future of former president Donald Trump, and indeed his potential for prison time, has been left in the hands of the jury. This comes following the conclusion of the first day of jury deliberations, which ended with no definitive verdict in Trump's criminal hush money trial.

MSNBC's Ari Melber has been closely following proceedings and has shone a light on why the jury is asking about the 'catch and kill' strategy. The term 'catch &' kill' refers to the process by which a media company buys a story from a source with the sole purpose of burying it and thus preventing its public release.

In Trump's case, the alleged hush money is said to be linked to this 'catch and kill' strategy. The allegations suggested that Trump had compensated women to conceal prior alleged salacious encounters, with the intention of affecting the 2016 presidential election.

More specifically, the jury has been taxed with deliberating over these alleged illegal campaign contributions. With the charges against Trump being so severe, if found guilty, Trump could face severe legal and financial consequences. Indeed, potential prison time looms as the ultimate repercussion.

However, the conclusion of the first day of deliberation has not resulted in a clear cut outcome. There remains uncertainty and anticipation as to the final verdict. The gravity of the situation is evident with the heightened interest in jury deliberations and the specific questions they are asking.

The question about 'catch & kill' underlines a key part of the case against Trump. Should the jury conclude that this strategy was employed in an attempt to influence the turn of political events, it only deepens the murkiness of the waters surrounding Trump's conduct.

Trump's fate, shrouded in this cloud of uncertainty, serves as a reminder of the power of the legal system. It also indicates the many controversies that dogged his presidency, the echoes of which are still felt today.

Indeed, as the jury deliberates, the world watches and waits - each question raised, each murmuring from the court, scrutinized for a sign, a signal, of what future might befall the former President of the United States. As scrutiny intensifies, so too does the suspense hanging over the result of this monumental trial.

The impending verdict serves not only to determine Trump's fate but also to set a precedent for future conduct in high office. The outcome of this trial will undeniably influence both political and legal landscapes for years to come. So, for Trump, the weight of the trial is enormous as he becomes the embodiment of the struggle between personal conduct and public responsibility.