Former President Donald Trump will not be sentenced in his hush money case until after the election.
Judge Juan Merchan ruled on Friday that Trump will now be sentenced on Nov. 26 — 21 days after the presidential election on Nov. 5, Fox News reported.
He was due to be sentenced Sept. 18.
Merchan explained his decision in a letter.
“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 or distortion,” Merchan said.
His letter continued:
“Unfortunately, we are now at a place in time that is fraught with complexities rendering the requirements of a sentencing hearing, should one be necessary, difficult to execute. Thus, in accordance with certain of the grounds submitted by Defendant and the reasons for adjournment provided by the People coupled with the unique time frame this matter currently finds itself in, the decision on the [motion] and the imposition of sentence will be adjourned to avoid any appearance – however unwarranted – that the proceeding has been affected by or seeks to affect the approaching Presidential election in which the Defendant is a candidate.”
A six-week trial culminated in a jury finding Trump guilty of 34 counts of falsifying business records.
The crux of the case was hush money paid to porn actress in exchange for her silence regarding an alleged sexual encounter between the two.
Steven Cheung, Trump campaign spokesperson, responded to the news by calling the whole matter a “witch hunt.”
“There should be no sentencing in the Manhattan DA’s Election Interference Witch Hunt,” Cheung said. “As mandated by the United States Supreme Court, this case, along with all of the other Harris-Biden Hoaxes, should be dismissed.”
This is the second delay in sentencing as it was originally set for July 11.
That was moved given the close proximity with the Republican National Convention when Trump was set to formally become the Republican candidate for president.
A spokesperson for the Manhattan DA’s office said the office is ready for whenever the sentencing takes place.
“A jury of 12 New Yorkers swiftly and unanimously convicted Donald Trump of 34 felony counts. The Manhattan D.A.’s Office stands ready for sentencing on the new date set by the court,” the person said.
