Juan Merchan, the New York judge who presided over the case of hidden payments made by US President Donald Trump to porn actress Stormy Daniels, agreed on Friday to indefinitely postpone the sentence, which was scheduled for November 26.
NEW YORK, Nov. 22 (Xinhua) — Juan Merchan, the New York judge who oversaw U.S. President Donald Trump’s secret payments to porn actress Stormy Daniels, agreed on Friday to indefinitely postpone, scheduled for November 26.
Mr. Trump will likely not be sentenced until the end of his next four-year presidential term, which begins on January 20, according to a letter from the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office to Mr. Merchan on Tuesday.
At the same time, the latter granted Mr. Trump’s request to file a motion to dismiss any sentence by December 2 and Manhattan prosecutors must respond by December 9.
The immediate dismissal of the entire case is necessary to facilitate an orderly transfer of executive power after Mr Trump’s victory in the 2024 presidential election, Mr Trump’s lawyers said in a letter to Judge Merchan on Tuesday .
But Manhattan prosecutors said in a letter dated the same day that they plan to oppose the dismissal of that case.
“There is no current law establishing that a president’s temporary immunity from prosecution requires the dismissal of a post-trial motion at a time when the defendant was not immune from criminal charges and which is based on non-official conduct of which the accused is also not. protective,” according to the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office.
On May 30, a jury in New York found Mr. Trump guilty of 34 counts of concealing business records to conceal payments made in 2016 to former adult film actress Stormy Daniels. The sentencing date was originally set for July 11.
2024-11-23 06:57:00
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Given the unprecedented nature of a former US president facing criminal charges, what precedent does this case set for the potential prosecution of future high-ranking officials?
## World Today News Exclusive: The Trump Sentencing Delay
**Welcome back to World Today News.** Today, we delve into the recent developments surrounding the sentencing of former US president Donald Trump in the Stormy Daniels case. Joining us are two esteemed legal experts: **Professor Sarah Jones**, a constitutional law expert from Harvard University, and **Attorney David Miller**, a former federal prosecutor specializing in white-collar crime.
**I. Understanding the Delay**
* **Professor Jones, the judge’s decision to indefinitely postpone sentencing has raised eyebrows. Can you shed light on the legal basis for this move, given the initial sentencing date was set for November 26th?**
* **Attorney Miller, from a prosecutorial perspective, what are the potential implications of this delay? Does it disproportionately benefit the defendant in this case?**
* **The article mentions Trump’s team seeking dismissal of the case due to the ongoing presidential election. How realistic is this argument, given the nature of the charges?**
**II. Trump’s Legal Strategy**
* **Professor Jones, Trump’s lawyers seem to be employing a strategy of delaying tactics. What are the potential advantages and disadvantages of this approach for him?**
* **Attorney Miller, with your experience in white-collar crime, what legal precedents, if any, might support Trump’s request for dismissal based on his presidential status?**
**III. Broader Implications for Justice**
* **Professor Jones, this case presents a unique situation where a former president faces criminal charges. What are the broader implications for the rule of law and the potential for political influence on judicial proceedings?**
* **Attorney Miller, how might this case shape future prosecutions of high-profile individuals, especially those holding or seeking public office?**
**IV. Looking Ahead**
* **Professor Jones, what factors could ultimately determine the course of this case? What are the possible outcomes we might see in the coming months?**
* **Attorney Miller, what advice would you give to the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office as they navigate this complex legal landscape?**
We want to thank Professor Jones and Attorney Miller for sharing their invaluable insights on this crucial legal matter. This case continues to unfold, and World Today News will keep you updated on all the latest developments.
