The judge in Donald Trump's New York criminal trial on Tuesday approved a delay of the former president's sentencing after his lawyers asked for more time to review the potential impact of the Supreme Court's immunity decision.
Trump's lawyers have indicated that they want Judge Juan Merchan to toss out Trump’s felony conviction on 34 counts of falsified business records related to hush money payments to adult film star Stormy Daniels. The hearing, previously scheduled for July 11, will be delayed until at least September 18.
Trump's team on Monday sent a letter to Merchan asking to brief him on the Supreme Court's Monday ruling, which said that the former president has some immunity from prosecution related to his "official" acts as president. The ruling was a blow to prosecutors in Trump's federal election interference case, but it's not exactly clear how it will affect the other criminal cases against him.
Merchan approved the delay in a letter to both Trump's lawyers and prosecutors from Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg's office. He also said would issue a ruling related to the immunity decision on Sept. 6
In a letter Tuesday, prosecutors said they were not opposed to delaying the sentencing hearing. Delaying guarantees Trump will not be sentenced until after he is formally nominated for president at the Republican National Convention, which begins July 15.
Of Trump's efforts to toss the verdict, the prosecutors said, “Although we believe defendant’s arguments to be without merit, we do not oppose his request for leave to file and his putative request to adjourn sentencing pending determination of his motion."
Trump is facing a range of potential sentences, including prison time, probation and a fine. Bragg, who brought the case against Trump, has not yet indicated what kind of sentence he will seek.
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