A judge has decided that Donald Trump’s hush-money trial will proceed as planned, with jury selection set to begin on March 25th. Despite pleas from the former president’s defence lawyers for a delay, Judge Juan Manuel Merchan has upheld the trial date.
This decision comes amid a delay in a separate Washington prosecution charging Trump with attempting to overturn the 2020 presidential election results, pending an appeal from Trump.
The hearing took place in the same Manhattan courtroom where Trump previously pleaded not guilty to 34 counts of falsifying business records. If the trial proceeds as scheduled, it would mark the first of Trump’s criminal cases to reach trial.
Trump has been vocal in criticising Judge Merchan, referring to him as a “Trump-hating judge” and attempting unsuccessfully to remove him from the case or move the trial to federal court. Despite acknowledging small donations to Democrats, including Trump’s rival Joe Biden, Judge Merchan asserts his ability to remain fair and impartial.
The trial adds to Trump’s already busy legal calendar, which includes a recent postponement of a trial date in his Washington, DC, election interference case. Additionally, a judge in Atlanta is set to hear arguments regarding the disqualification of Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis from Trump’s Georgia election interference case due to a perceived personal relationship with a special prosecutor.
In a separate New York civil fraud case, Trump awaits a decision that could have significant financial implications for his real estate empire. This case alleges Trump inflated his wealth to defraud banks and insurers, potentially leading to substantial penalties.
Aside from clarifying the trial schedule, Judge Merchan is expected to rule on critical pre-trial issues, including a request by Trump’s lawyers to dismiss the case, which they claim is politically motivated.
Trump’s legal team accuses Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg of bringing the case to interfere with Trump’s potential return to the White House. At the same time, Bragg’s predecessor declined to pursue similar allegations.
The charges in the hush-money case, punishable by up to four years in prison, revolve around payments to Stormy Daniels, Karen McDougal, and a Trump Tower doorman related to alleged extramarital affairs, which Trump denies.
Caption: Donald Trump’s hush-money trial is set to proceed as planned, with jury selection scheduled for March 25th, despite defence appeals for a delay.
