Prosecutors in the hush money case involving Donald Trump conceded to a 30-day trial delay, responding to the former president’s claims of insufficient time to prepare due to late evidence disclosure.
This postponement, if approved, would disrupt the trial set to commence on March 25, adding another twist to Trump’s legal battles as he gears up for a potential challenge against President Joe Biden in the upcoming election. The case, scheduled in New York state court, is the first among four criminal trials involving Trump.
Trump, pleading not guilty to 34 counts of falsifying business records related to hush money payments, asserts that the $130,000 payment made to Stormy Daniels was to spare his family from embarrassment, not to influence the election, as alleged by prosecutors.
Trump’s legal team, citing thousands of recently obtained documents, requested a 90-day delay to adequately review the evidence. They also called for the indictment’s dismissal, contending that certain evidence contradicted the district attorney’s claims.
Meanwhile, prosecutors from Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s office expressed readiness for trial but did not oppose the delay to ensure Trump’s access to the new material. The decision lies with Justice Juan Merchan, with no immediate timeline for his ruling.
Trump’s request for postponement aligns with his broader legal strategy, including a plea to delay the trial until the U.S. Supreme Court addresses his claim of presidential immunity in another case related to overturning the 2020 election results.
Amidst these legal maneuvers, Trump faces multiple criminal prosecutions, each adding complexity to his legal landscape. The 30-day delay, if approved, would coincide with the Supreme Court‘s review, marking another tactical move in Trump’s legal battle ahead of the election.
