York State Supreme Court is set to announce a verdict on January 10 regarding elected US President Donald Trump in the case involving a payment made to adult film star Stormy Daniels in exchange for her silence. However, it is unlikely that the politician will be sent to prison, SİA reports citing Reuters.
Acting Justice of the New York State Supreme Court Juan Merchan ruled that Trump will be required to appear at a court hearing 10 days before his inauguration on January 20. This marks an unprecedented event in US history. No former or sitting president has ever been charged with a crime or convicted.
The judge stated that Trump could be present for the sentencing either in person or virtually. He also added that a verdict of "unconditional discharge," meaning no detention, fine, or probation, would be "the most viable solution." Merchan announced his sentencing plan after rejecting Trump's motion to dismiss the case following his victory in the presidential election.
In a second motion to dismiss, filed after Trump's May conviction, his lawyers argued that the case, looming over him during his presidency, would hinder his ability to govern the country. Merchan dismissed this argument, stating that overturning the jury's verdict would "undermine the Rule of Law in immeasurable ways."
"Defendant's status as President-elect does not require the drastic and 'rare' application of (the court's) authority to grant the (dismissal) motion," Merchan wrote in his ruling. The judge also dismissed Trump's December 3 argument that dismissal was justified due to his "civic and financial contributions to this city and the Nation are too numerous to count."
While recognizing the politician's achievements as president, the judge noted that Trump's public statements undermining the judicial system were also factors in his decision. Merchan criticized what he called Trump's "unrelenting and unsubstantiated attacks" on the integrity of the criminal proceeding. He reminded that Trump had been found guilty of 10 counts of contempt of court for repeatedly violating an order restricting out-of-court statements about witnesses and others.
"Defendant has gone to great lengths to broadcast on social media and other forums his lack of respect for judges, juries, grand juries, and the justice system as a whole. The defendant's character and history vis-a-vis the rule of law and the Third Branch of government must be analyzed. In that vein, it does not weigh in his favor," Merchan wrote.
Meanwhile, Trump's press secretary, Steven Cheung, stated that no verdict should be issued in this case. "This lawless case should have never been brought, and the Constitution demands that it be immediately dismissed," Cheung said. The sentencing was initially scheduled for November 26, but Merchan postponed it indefinitely after Trump's victory in the US presidential election on November 5.
In the Manhattan District Attorney’s office, Alvin Bragg’s team stated that other measures, apart from "the extreme remedy," were available. These included dismissing the jury's verdict, which could alleviate Trump's concerns about the distraction of a criminal case during his presidency.
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