A New York judge has moved the sentencing in Donald Trump‘s hush money trial to after the election, on November 26.
“The public’s confidence in the integrity of our judicial system demands a sentencing hearing that is entirely focused on the verdict of the jury and the weighing of aggravating and mitigating factors free from distraction and distortion,” Judge Juan Merchan wrote in a statement filed today.
“The members of this jury served diligently on this case, and their verdict must be respected and addressed in a manner that is not diluted by the enormity of the upcoming presidential election. Likewise, if one is necessary, the Defendant has the right to a sentencing hearing that respects and protects his constitutional rights.”
Trump was found guilty in May of 34 state counts of falsifying business records related to hush money payments made to Stormy Daniels in advance of the 2016 election. The judge initially set sentencing for July, but then pushed that date back to Sept. 18 as Trump’s legal team challenged the conviction based on the Supreme Court’s recent ruling on presidential immunity.
More to come.
