Trump’s Sentencing Delay Request Denied by Appeals Court Judge
In a significant development, a New York appeals court judge has rejected President-elect Donald Trump’s request to delay his criminal sentencing, scheduled for Friday. This decision comes on the heels of a hearing held by Judge Ellen Gesmer, who was unconvinced by Trump’s lawyers’ arguments.
The Case Against Trump
Trump was convicted last year of 34 felony counts of falsifying business records related to a $130,000 payment made by his then-lawyer Michael Cohen to adult film actress Stormy Daniels. The payment was made on the eve of the 2016 presidential election in exchange for Daniels’ silence about a purported one-time sexual tryst with Trump in 2006. Trump has consistently denied having had sex with Daniels.
Trump’s Lawyers Argue for Delay
Trump’s legal team had argued that their client was entitled to a stay in the case due to a U.S. Supreme Court ruling last year, which stated that presidents have presumptive criminal immunity for official acts taken in office. They also claimed that Trump would suffer irreparable harm and have his constitutional rights violated if he were to be sentenced just 10 days before his inauguration for a second term.
Judge Gesmer’s Ruling
However, Judge Gesmer was skeptical of these claims during the hearing. She noted that Manhattan Supreme Court Judge Juan Merchan, who presided over Trump’s trial, has already indicated that he is unlikely to impose a jail sentence or probationary period on Trump. Merchan has also suggested that he may not order Trump to pay a fine in the case. In her ruling, Gesmer wrote, “After consideration of the papers submitted and the extensive oral argument, movant’s application for an interim stay is denied.”
What’s Next for Trump?
With the sentencing delay request denied, Trump is now set to face sentencing on Friday. While Judge Merchan has hinted at a lenient sentence, the exact outcome remains uncertain. One thing is clear, however: this development marks a significant milestone in the ongoing legal saga surrounding President-elect Trump.
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