New York Judge Juan Merchan, who is presiding over the trial against former U.S. President Donald Trump for allegedly falsifying documents to conceal a payment made to former porn actress Stormy Daniels to buy her silence, has postponed the sentencing to September 18.
Although it was initially scheduled for July 11, the delay follows a decision by the U.S. Supreme Court on Monday that the former president has immunity for acts performed in the exercise of his office. This means that actions he took as president and those outside of that role must be examined.
Allows New Arguments to Be Presented
The judge's decision responds to a letter from the Manhattan District Attorney's office, which had announced its willingness to "postpone" the sentencing announcement for Trump. The judge also granted the defense's request to extend the deadline to July 10 to present new arguments in favor of their client, in light of the Supreme Court's decision. The prosecution has until July 24 to present their arguments.
"While we believe the defendant's arguments lack merit, we do not oppose his request for permission to present them and his request to postpone the sentencing," prosecutor Joshua Steinglass wrote in a letter to the judge.
Sentencing Will Follow Republican Convention
The sentencing, which according to the judge will take place "on September 18, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. (local time) ... if 'still necessary'," will occur after the Republican Convention, where Trump is expected to be officially nominated as the presidential candidate, scheduled for July 15-18.
The former president was found guilty at the end of May on 34 counts related to concealing the $130,000 payment to Stormy Daniels, made in the final stretch of the 2016 election to avoid affecting his political aspirations.
With information from AFP.