Trump sentencing date decision in “hush money” case expected Friday

A New York judge is set to announce the date for former President Donald Trump’s sentencing on charges related to falsifying business records in connection with a payment made to an adult film star. This announcement is expected to come this Friday.

Trump was convicted in May on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records, a verdict reached by a unanimous jury. Initially, sentencing was planned for July 11; however, it was postponed to September 18 after Trump filed a motion requesting the judge to overturn the conviction. Trump’s defense argued that a recent Supreme Court ruling offered him immunity for actions conducted while in office and that evidence related to his presidential duties should not be considered in a criminal trial.

Justice Juan Merchan indicated he would rule on Trump’s motion to set aside the verdict just two days prior to the current sentencing date, specifically on September 16. In August, Trump sought another delay, this time postponing the sentencing until after the presidential election. His legal team argued that additional time would be necessary should their request to overturn the conviction be denied.

As he awaited the judge’s ruling, Trump also attempted another approach to further delay the sentencing. He petitioned a federal judge to transfer the case to federal court, but that request was denied earlier this week. Trump has since filed an appeal regarding this matter.

On Thursday, an attorney representing Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg notified the appeals court that Merchan would announce his decision on the sentencing on the following day. “The judge has now informed the parties that the decision will be rendered tomorrow,” said Bragg’s lawyer.

The case centers around Trump’s alleged involvement in a scheme to conceal reimbursements made to his lawyer, who facilitated a $130,000 payment to adult film star Stormy Daniels just days before the 2016 presidential election. Trump has denied any wrongdoing regarding this encounter and has pleaded not guilty to the charges.

When the judge finally hands down the sentence, he will have significant discretion regarding the outcome. The charges against Trump carry a maximum prison sentence of four years. However, since this is Trump’s first conviction, it is possible for Justice Merchan to impose a sentence that includes alternatives to incarceration, such as probation or other measures.

The ongoing legal proceedings have kept Trump and his legal team in an extensive state of maneuvering as they attempt to navigate the legal landscape surrounding the case and the implications it may have for Trump’s future political ambitions.