The former president is in the New York hush money case seeking to delay his sentencing until after the November presidential election. In a letter that was made public on Thursday, Trump’s attorney, Todd Blanche, claimed that holding a sentencing on September 18, only seven weeks before the election, would be to interfere in the elections.
Blanche’s request also comes at a time when Judge Juan M. Merchan is to decide on the motion of the defence counsel to quash the case based on the doctrine of renewed immunity of a country’s president, as was recently decreed by the Supreme Court of the United States of America on September 16.
The attorney argued that this timeframe is unproportionate regarding Trump; should the dismissal not be granted, adequate time should be granted to consider his legal positions.
Trump was convicted in May of having committed the crime of conspiracy to falsify business records in relation to a $130,000 payment made to adult film actress Stormy Daniels during his campaign for the presidency in 2016. The prosecution argued that this was done to prevent unfavourable stories during Trump’s first run for president.
If convicted, the charges could result in a penalty of up to four years’ imprisonment. Even so, Trump continues to insist that the case is politically motivated. The judge and the Manhattan district attorney’s office have not commented on the delay request.
