Justice Juan Merchan of the Manhattan Supreme Court, who oversaw the criminal trial of President-elect Donald Trump concerning alleged concealed payments, is expected to rule next week on the validity of Trump’s felony conviction. The sentencing, initially slated for over four months ago, was deferred until after the election. Merchan has set a deadline of next Tuesday to decide whether the conviction should be overturned.
Trump, who recently emerged victorious in the presidential election, was present in the defendant’s seat in Manhattan Criminal Court during jury deliberations on May 29, 2024. His election triumph is predicted to bolster his legal team’s determination to halt the sentencing.
Paula Reid, CNN’s chief legal affairs correspondent, offered her insights on this development late Wednesday. Reid suggested that Trump’s legal team is likely to contend that the sentencing should not proceed now that Trump is the president-elect. They are predicted to argue that he should be granted the same constitutional protections as a sitting president and should be protected from state actors, including state prosecutors.
Trump, now 78, could potentially face up to four years in prison if sentenced. He was found guilty on 34 counts of felony for falsifying business records to hide payments made to adult film actress Stormy Daniels before the 2016 election.