Still, the New York court battle, along with a federal election interference case hearing in Washington, D.C. on Thursday, has put renewed attention on Trump’s legal problems at the height of the presidential election.
Trump faces up to four years in prison, but could also get a much shorter sentence or even just probation.
“This is not a decision this Court has made lightly, but it is one that, in this Court’s view, best advances the interests of justice,” said Marchand, who has frequently been accused of bias by President Trump, adding that the case “occupies a unique place in the history of this nation.” But Marchand also said it is not unusual for a delay in sentencing to occur when both sides agree.
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, who filed the lawsuit, did not oppose the delay and left it to the judge to decide.
“A 12-judge New York jury swiftly and unanimously found Donald Trump guilty of 34 felony counts,” Bragg spokesman Daniel Filson said in a statement. “The Manhattan District Attorney’s Office is prepared to serve a new sentencing date set by the Court.”
The judge said the delay would not have been necessary if the trial had been scheduled for July. The delay in the trial date was the result of Trump’s additional assertion of presidential immunity. The judge raised the issue following a US Supreme Court ruling that former presidents have broad immunity from criminal prosecution for official acts while in office. Trump has also filed a separate motion to have a federal court take over the case, but has so far been denied.
After the Carroll appeal hearing, but before Judge Marchan’s ruling, President Trump criticized both the judge and Mr. Bragg at a press conference in Manhattan.
Trump has used his legal troubles as a slogan to raise money following her indictment and her conviction in May, but since Harris became the Democratic nominee, Trump has lagged behind the vice president’s fundraising prowess, raising $130 million in August to far outpace Harris’ $361 million.
