Judge Delays Trump’s Sentencing on Felony Charges Until Nov. 26
TL/DR –
A judge in New York, Juan Merchan, has postponed Donald Trump’s sentencing for felony criminal charges until November 26. The former president was convicted in May on 34 counts of falsifying business records tied to a hush money payment made to an adult film star during the 2016 presidential campaign. The delay is the second time Trump’s sentencing has been postponed following a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that extended presidential immunity in an unrelated federal criminal case.
Judge Postpones Trump’s Sentencing on Falsifying Business Records Charges
Former President Donald Trump’s sentencing has been delayed by a New York judge until November 26th, citing interests of justice. The decision was made in light of Trump’s attorneys’ request to postpone the sentencing, originally scheduled for September 18th, until after the November 5th election to appeal a pending presidential immunity ruling.
In May, Trump was convicted on 34 counts of falsifying business records related to a hush money payment to adult film actress Stormy Daniels near the end of his 2016 campaign. His attorneys argued a single business day is unreasonably short for an appeal and there is no need to rush.
The Manhattan District Attorney’s office said they’d defer to the court on the adjournment. They are prepared for sentencing on any date set by the court, further backing Trump’s postponement request.
The judge, in his order, emphasized the need for a sentencing hearing focused on the jury’s verdict and its importance, extending the date for his ruling on the immunity issue until November 12th, before the sentencing and after the election.
In a subsequent speech to the Fraternal Order of Police in Charlotte, North Carolina, Trump rebuked the judgement and prosecution, claiming that there was no case because he did nothing wrong.
The postponement of Trump’s sentencing follows the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling extending presidential immunity in an unrelated case. The initial sentencing was scheduled for July 11th. Trump’s attorneys argue that the Supreme Court’s ruling shows Manhattan prosecutors should not have been allowed to present certain evidences at trial.
In contrast, Trump’s attorneys made multiple unsuccessful efforts to move the case into federal court and to delay the sentencing. U.S. District Judge Alvin Hellerstein dismissed the request earlier this week.
Following the denial of Trump’s bid to stay the case, Trump faces the potential of four criminal trials this year, with the New York case being the only one to have reached trial so far.
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