The Epoch Times reported that New York Supreme Court Justice Juan Merchan declined former President Donald Trump's plea to postpone his Manhattan trial over falsifying business records related to a 2016 election payment scheme.
The decision came amidst concerns over the defense's late claim of presidential immunity, which will also be reviewed by the U.S. Supreme Court in a related case.
The trial, set against the backdrop of accusations for falsifying business records to influence the 2016 elections, is now on track to commence jury selection on April 15. This follows Trump's legal team's repeated attempts to delay the proceedings, which have included concerns over potential jury bias due to the case's high public profile.
Judge Merchan expressed skepticism over the defense's timing in presenting the presidential immunity argument. He deemed the motion as untimely, emphasizing that the defense had ample opportunity to introduce this argument earlier in the proceedings.
The judge's refusal to delay the trial underscores the court's diminishing patience with attempts to stall the legal process. Despite the defense's efforts, including highlighting the vast amount of late discovery evidence, Merchan remained unmoved.
The crux of the defense's request was a presidential immunity defense, which they argued should preclude the trial from proceeding. However, the judge decisively rejected this argument, citing its untimeliness and questioning its relevance to the criminal charges Trump faces.
This aspect of the defense's strategy has also drawn attention to a separate but related matter before the U.S. Supreme Court. The higher court's upcoming review of the presidential immunity argument in a different case involving Trump adds a layer of complexity to the legal proceedings.
Prosecutors have signaled their intent to present a broad array of evidence, including Trump's statements across various platforms. The defense has countered, arguing that some evidence is the result of a pressure campaign against key witness Michael Cohen, who has implicated Trump in making hush money payments and falsifying records for reimbursements.
Justice Merchan, in his ruling, emphasized that Trump had "ample notice" of the prosecution's intention to use these statements, thereby undercutting the defense's arguments for delay.
Trump's legal troubles extend beyond the New York trial. He faces charges in a separate federal case led by special counsel Jack Smith, concerning conspiracy and obstruction related to events on January 6, 2021. A Supreme Court hearing set for April 25 will further explore the notion of presidential immunity, adding another layer to Trump's ongoing legal battles.
The Manhattan trial, however, proceeds independently of these broader legal challenges, focusing squarely on the 34 counts of falsifying business records to influence the 2016 elections.
In conclusion, Justice Juan Merchan's denial of Trump's request to delay his trial marks a critical juncture in the legal proceedings against the former president. The decision underscores the court's commitment to moving forward with the trial, despite the defense's efforts to introduce new arguments and delay tactics. With jury selection poised to begin on April 15, the stage is set for a high-profile trial that will scrutinize Trump's actions in the lead-up to the 2016 elections. This trial, set against the backdrop of other legal challenges, including a pending Supreme Court review of presidential immunity, highlights the complex legal landscape Trump navigates.
