Breaking News: Trump’s Hush Money Case Takes a Surprising Turn
In a dramatic development, a New York judge has postponed a ruling on whether to dismiss guilty verdicts against President-elect Donald Trump in his criminal hush money case. The decision comes just two days after the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office requested time to consider how Trump’s electoral win affects the case.
A Critical Delay
Manhattan Supreme Court Judge Juan Merchan was set to issue his ruling on Tuesday, but will now determine if the case should be dismissed on November 19. Trump is currently facing sentencing on 34 counts of falsifying business records related to a hush money payment made by his former lawyer Michael Cohen to porn star Stormy Daniels shortly before the 2016 presidential election.
A Complex Web of Arguments
Trump’s lawyers have asked to dismiss the case and vacate the jury verdict, citing the U.S. Supreme Court’s granting of presumptive immunity to former presidents for all official acts in office. However, DA Alvin Bragg argues that the high court’s ruling has no bearing on Trump’s conviction in the hush money case.
Unprecedented Circumstances
In a surprising move, defense lawyers asked the DA’s office to agree to pause all proceedings, seeking time to review and consider arguments based on the election results. The DA’s office consented, acknowledging that the circumstances are unprecedented.
Balancing Competing Interests
Prosecutor Matthew Colangelo wrote in an email to Merchan that the defense lawyers’ arguments “require careful consideration to ensure that any further steps in this proceeding appropriately balance the competing interests of (1) a jury verdict of guilt following trial that has the presumption of regularity; and (2) the Office of the President.”
Stay tuned for updates on this developing story.
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