Last Updated on 07/09/2024 by Arun jain
Juan Murchan, the New York judge overseeing the so-called hush money case in which the Republican presidential candidate was convicted of 34 federal crimes, announced Friday that he would not sentence the former president early.
Murchan said he was delaying the sentencing from Sept. 18 — when mail-in voting will begin in some states — until Nov. 26 to avoid “any appearance, however unreasonable,” of affecting the election.
In May, a jury related to a complex scheme in which money was paid to Stephanie Clifford — an adult film actress better known by her professional name, Stormy Daniels — to prevent her from disclosing an affair that derailed Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign. threatened.
The charges were also applied to numerous criminal steps taken to cover up the transaction and story, such as falsifying business records.
Trump was originally scheduled to be sentenced on July 11, but it was delayed. Murch is scheduled to rule on whether to dismiss the case on immunity grounds on Nov. 12.
What did Judge Murchan say?
In a four-page decision, Murchan wrote that “the public’s faith in the integrity of our judicial system demands a sentencing hearing that is focused entirely on the jury’s verdict and on the weighing of aggravating and mitigating factors free from distraction or distortion.”
Merchan, who called the court an “impartial, impartial and apolitical body”, said prosecutors had not opposed the defense’s request for a delay.
“A jury of 12 New Yorkers quickly and unanimously convicted Donald Trump of 34 felony counts. Daniel Philson, a spokesman for the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office, said Friday. “The District Attorney’s Office is set for sentencing at a new date set by the court.”
Merchan wrote that the delay step “is not a decision this Court takes lightly but is a decision which, in this Court’s view, best advances the interests of justice.”
The judge, who Trump regularly accused of political bias during the trial, said the delay should “remove any suggestion that the court may have made any decision or sentence to benefit or disadvantage any political party. And/or any candidate for any office.” candidate.”
Merchan described the case as “standing alone in a unique place in the history of this nation”.
What did Trump say?
Trump, who has sought a delay in sentencing and even dismissal of the case, greeted the news on his social media account, calling it “election interference”: “Manhattan DA witch hunt postponed because everyone knows there’s a case No, I did nothing wrong!… This case must end properly, as we prepare for the most important election in our country’s history.
Trump has vowed to appeal the jury’s guilty verdict but will not be able to until the sentencing.
Trump enjoying good legal fortune
Friday’s delay means voters will head to the polls without knowing whether Trump is going to jail.
In July, A. Then the Supreme Court’s broad immunity decision delayed a federal case accusing Trump of trying to overturn the election, as well as a Georgia case alleging election interference.
So far, the hush money case is the only one that has been heard.
In theory, Trump could spend decades in prison. However, as the only former US president in history to ever be convicted of a felony, he is more likely to receive probation.
js/sms (AFP, AP)
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