Judge Delays Trump's Sentencing Following Supreme Court Immunity Decision

In a significant development, sentencing for former President Donald Trump in his New York hush-money case has been postponed until September. This delay ensures that Trump will avoid a court hearing just days before potentially securing the GOP’s presidential nomination at the party’s convention.

Judge Juan Merchan announced the decision on Tuesday, responding to requests from both the defense and Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg's team. The postponement follows the Supreme Court's ruling that Trump is immune from prosecution for official acts as president in a separate case.

• The previously scheduled July 11 sentencing date has been vacated. Judge Merchan set a new date for September 18, 2024, at 10:00 AM, with a decision to be provided off-calendar on September 6.

• Trump's legal team sought to challenge the guilty verdict and delay sentencing, arguing that the Supreme Court’s ruling supported their position against DA Bragg’s evidence related to official presidential acts.

• Prosecutors, while deeming Trump's arguments meritless, did not oppose the request for adjournment, facilitating the judge's decision to delay.

Trump was convicted in May on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records, allegedly to cover up an affair with adult film actress Stormy Daniels. The conviction stemmed from a "catch-and-kill" scheme aimed at influencing the 2016 election. Despite denying the affair and pleading not guilty, Trump vowed to appeal the verdict.

Republican National Committee (RNC) Chairman Michael Whatley had expressed concern that Trump could be in jail during the GOP convention, slated for July 15. The sentencing delay alleviates this concern, allowing Trump to participate fully in the nomination process.

Trump faces additional legal challenges as he seeks a second term, including three other criminal cases. Two of these are led by special counsel Jack Smith, focusing on the 2020 election and classified documents. Another 2020 election case is being pursued by Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis in Georgia.

Despite the mounting legal issues, Trump has consistently maintained his innocence. The Supreme Court's recent ruling has complicated the timeline for these cases, making it unlikely that any will reach trial before the November election.

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