The court has postponed the sentence for Trump until after the 2024 presidential elections
6 september 2024 в 23:13
The judge postponed the sentencing of Donald Trump after the 2024 presidential elections. On Friday, September 6, Judge Juan Merchan announced that the 78-year-old Trump will not receive his punishment for the hush money case until November 26, «if necessary».
«The delay in deciding on the motion and sentencing, if necessary, should dispel any assumptions that the court will make a decision or impose a sentence either to give an advantage or to create a disadvantage for any political party and/or candidate for any position», - wrote Merchan, according to CNN.
Merchan continued, pointing out the nature of the case, calling it «a unique place in the history of this nation».
«This case stands alone, in a unique place in the history of this nation, and this court has guided it from its inception — from the filing of charges to the jury verdict and the numerous motions and other issues in between», - explained the judge. «If this court were to decide, after careful consideration of the Supreme Court’s decision regarding Trump, that this case should continue, it will face one of the most critical and complex decisions faced by a trial judge — the sentencing of a defendant found guilty of crimes by a unanimous jury of their peers».
In conclusion, Merchan stated that the jury «served conscientiously in this case, and their verdict must be respected and considered in a way that does not diminish the magnitude of the upcoming presidential elections».
«Likewise, if necessary, the defendant has the right to a sentencing hearing that respects and protects his constitutional rights», - added Merchan.
On May 30, Trump was found guilty on all 34 counts of falsifying business records to conceal a $ 130,000 payment to porn actress Stormy Daniels before the 2016 elections. Throughout the trial, the former «Apprentice» host denied any connection to Daniels, 45. However, she described an alleged sexual encounter between her and Trump in 2006.
That month, Trump left the courtroom and accused Judge Merchan of being in a «conflict», - speaking to journalists.
«It was a biased decision from the start with a conflicted judge who should never have been allowed to hear this case», - said Trump. «We will continue to fight, we will fight to the end and we will win»
«The delay in deciding on the motion and sentencing, if necessary, should dispel any assumptions that the court will make a decision or impose a sentence either to give an advantage or to create a disadvantage for any political party and/or candidate for any position», - wrote Merchan, according to CNN.
Merchan continued, pointing out the nature of the case, calling it «a unique place in the history of this nation».
«This case stands alone, in a unique place in the history of this nation, and this court has guided it from its inception — from the filing of charges to the jury verdict and the numerous motions and other issues in between», - explained the judge. «If this court were to decide, after careful consideration of the Supreme Court’s decision regarding Trump, that this case should continue, it will face one of the most critical and complex decisions faced by a trial judge — the sentencing of a defendant found guilty of crimes by a unanimous jury of their peers».
In conclusion, Merchan stated that the jury «served conscientiously in this case, and their verdict must be respected and considered in a way that does not diminish the magnitude of the upcoming presidential elections».
«Likewise, if necessary, the defendant has the right to a sentencing hearing that respects and protects his constitutional rights», - added Merchan.
On May 30, Trump was found guilty on all 34 counts of falsifying business records to conceal a $ 130,000 payment to porn actress Stormy Daniels before the 2016 elections. Throughout the trial, the former «Apprentice» host denied any connection to Daniels, 45. However, she described an alleged sexual encounter between her and Trump in 2006.
That month, Trump left the courtroom and accused Judge Merchan of being in a «conflict», - speaking to journalists.
«It was a biased decision from the start with a conflicted judge who should never have been allowed to hear this case», - said Trump. «We will continue to fight, we will fight to the end and we will win»
© Artemenko Olga
