Trump’s Bid to Delay Trial Over Hush Money Denied by NY Judge
In a recent development, a New York state appeals judge has rejected former President Donald Trump’s request to postpone his upcoming trial over criminal charges related to hush money payments. The decision came ahead of the trial set for April 15, which involves allegations of Trump’s involvement in payments made to a porn star.
Associate Justice Cynthia Kern dismissed the appeal after a hearing on Tuesday. Trump’s legal team, led by attorney Emil Bove, argued that the gag order imposed by Justice Juan Merchan was infringing upon Trump’s First Amendment rights. They contended that the order should be relaxed to allow Trump to counter public criticism from potential witnesses.
Merchan’s gag order, established last month, prevents Trump from making verbal attacks against potential witnesses, court staff, and prosecutors. The order was extended to include Trump’s family members after he made derogatory remarks about Merchan’s daughter online. However, the order does not limit Trump’s comments regarding Merchan or Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg.
Steven Wu, representing Bragg’s office, insisted that the trial should proceed without delay. He highlighted the increased security measures necessitated by Trump’s statements and the apprehension among potential witnesses about testifying.
Trump is charged with covering up a $130,000 payment made by his former lawyer Michael Cohen to Stormy Daniels, a porn star who claimed to have had a sexual encounter with Trump. The former president has pleaded not guilty to 34 counts of falsifying business records and has denied the encounter with Daniels, whose legal name is Stephanie Clifford.
The denial of the delay follows Trump’s unsuccessful attempt to relocate the trial from Manhattan, where his lawyers claim a survey indicated a majority of residents hold a negative view of him. This case is one of four criminal indictments Trump faces as he gears up for a potential electoral rematch against President Joe Biden on November 5.
