GUILTY NY - Ex-President Donald Trump, charged with 34 criminal counts of falsifying business records, Apr 2023, Trial 25 Mar 2024 #4

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A fierce ally of President-elect Donald Trump warned Thursday that the new administration will have no patience for New York Attorney General Letitia James if she weaponizes the legal system against the 47th president.

“I dare you to try to continue your lawfare against President Trump in his second term,” Mike Davis, the founder of the Article III Project, an advocacy group that pushes for the nominations of conservative judges, said during an appearance on “The Benny Show” podcast.

“Listen here, sweetheart,” Davis continued, addressing James. “We’re not messing around this time and we will put your fat a– in prison for conspiracy against rights. I promise you that."

Davis, who has been floated as a possible Trump pick for attorney general or White House counsel in his incoming administration, urged the New York AG to “think long and hard” before potentially violating the president-elect’s “constitutional rights or any other Americans’ constitutional rights.”

 
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A fierce ally of President-elect Donald Trump warned Thursday that the new administration will have no patience for New York Attorney General Letitia James if she weaponizes the legal system against the 47th president.

“I dare you to try to continue your lawfare against President Trump in his second term,” Mike Davis, the founder of the Article III Project, an advocacy group that pushes for the nominations of conservative judges, said during an appearance on “The Benny Show” podcast.

“Listen here, sweetheart,” Davis continued, addressing James. “We’re not messing around this time and we will put your fat a– in prison for conspiracy against rights. I promise you that."

Davis, who has been floated as a possible Trump pick for attorney general or White House counsel in his incoming administration, urged the New York AG to “think long and hard” before potentially violating the president-elect’s “constitutional rights or any other Americans’ constitutional rights.”

That's a lovely way to start this transition! IMO
 
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Tuesday, November 12th:
*Issue Judge’s Ruling Decision (re immunity) (@ 10am ET) – NY - *Donald John Trump (76/now 78) was indicted (3/30/23), formally arrested, charged & arraigned (4/4/23) with 34 felony counts of falsifying business records in the 1st degree & conspiracy in connection with hush money payments to two women [Stephanie Clifford aka adult actor Stormy Daniels & former Playboy model Karen McDougal] before the 2016 presidential election. Plead not guilty. Warrant vacated, released on own recognizance. New York County
New York: Submitting false invoices or checks. All 34 counts against Trump are felony charges (class E) instead of misdemeanors.
Trial began on 4/15/24 with jury selection & ended on 4/19/24. 12 jurors & 6 alternates. [Jurors: 7 men & 5 women/6 Alternates: 5 women & 1 man].
Trial began on 4/22/24 & ended on 5/28/24 with closing arguments. Prosecutors rested their case on 5/20/24. Defense began their case on 5/20/24 & ended on 5/21/24.
Verdict Watch: Jury deliberations Day 1 (5/29/24) started at 11:37am to 4:06pm. Total: 4 hours 30 minutes (includes 1 hour for lunch but deliberating). Day 2 (5/30/24) started at 11:17am to 4:30pm. Total: 5 hours & 15 minutes.
Total Deliberations: ~9 hours & 45 minutes. Verdict: Guilty on all 34 felony charges.
New York Supreme Court Judge Juan Marchan presiding. Manhattan Attorney General Alvin Bragg. Prosecutors are Susan Hoffinger, Joshua Steinglass & Matthew Colangelo. Defense attorneys Todd Blanche, Emil Bove, Susan Necheles & Gedalia Stern.

Investigation & court info from 3/30/23 thru 4/12/24 & Jury Selection Days 1-4 (4/15-4/19/24) & Trial Day 1-19 (4/22-5/30/24) & Jury Deliberations Day 1-2 (5/29-30/24) reference post #130 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...ds-apr-2023-trial-25-mar-2024-4.713952/page-7

5/30/24 Thursday, Trial Day 19/Verdict Watch Day 2: Jury found the former president guilty of all 34 felony charges of falsifying business records on Thursday evening, determining that he had done so to unlawfully influence the 2016 election. Judge Juan Merchan said he would make a decision on Trump’s immunity arguments by 9/6/24 & the sentencing would be rescheduled for 9/18/24 @ 10am “if such is still necessary”. Decision of immunity will be on 9/16/24. Sentencing has been reset on 11/26/24 @ 9am.
6/2/24 Update: Will Scharf, a member of Trump's legal team, said Sunday that Trump will appeal his conviction on 34 felony counts in New York but will comply with a pre-sentencing investigation in the meantime. Trump's conviction, centered around allegations he covered up a hush money payment to adult film actress Stormy Daniels during the 2016 election, will be the subject of an investigation from the Probation Dept., which will include interviewing Trump. A report following the inquiry's conclusion will provide Judge Juan Merchan with a sentencing recommendation.
6/6/24 Update: New York City PD revoke Trump’s license after suspending permit to carry a concealed weapon in April 2023. Trump’s permit to carry a concealed weapon was suspended in April last year after he was indicted on charges of falsifying documents to cover up a payment to the adult film star Stormy Daniels. Now, the NYPD is preparing to revoke Trump’s license altogether. Trump, who is the presumptive Republican nominee for the 2024 election, will retain some privileges not afforded to all US felons. It appears he will still be able to vote in the November race, because New York – the state where the hush-money trial took place – is one of 23 states where people convicted of a felony can vote as long as they are not incarcerated.
6/9/24 Update: Trump is scheduled to be interviewed virtually by Probation Dept. tomorrow, 6/10/24 for pre-sentencing recommendation/report.
6/10/24 Update: On Friday, 6/7/24 Judge Merchan rule that Trump could be accompanied by his lawyer, Todd Blanche. Trump met with his probation officer on Monday following his conviction late last month on 34 felonies for crimes he committed to help boost his election chances when he first ran for president in 2016. Trump sat for his pre-sentencing probation interview from Mar-a-Lago alongside his attorney Todd Blanche. A female probation officer interviewed him over a special virtual network with added security measures. Probation interviews are required by court as part of a pre-sentencing report & are usually conducted in person with the defendant alone. Then again, the defendant is usually not a former president. Trump’s defense team is expected to submit their sentencing recommendations on 6/14/24. Sentencing has been scheduled for 7/11/24 in New York. The 34 counts he was convicted of each carry up to four years in prison, with the maximum possible sentence being 20 years, or could result in a term of probation & fines. He has vowed to appeal the conviction. Trump has until Thursday, 6/13/24 to submit his presentence report, which could include letters of recommendation from his friends & family, and prosecutors have until 6/27/24 to file theirs, with the question still hanging in the air as to whether they’ll seek to imprison Trump.
6/18/24 Update: The New York Court of Appeals on Tuesday declined to hear Trump's appeal of the gag order in the hush money case in which he was convicted last month. The court said it was dismissing the appeal "upon the ground that no substantial constitutional question is directly involved." That means the gag order imposed on Trump by state Judge Juan Merchan is still in effect.
6/25/24 Update: Judge Juan Merchan has amended the gag order imposed in Trump's Manhattan criminal case, allowing him to make comments about witnesses & jurors, but leaving in place the other restrictions [in response to Defendant's Motion to Terminate Order restricting extrajudicial Statements filed on 2/22/24, which the Judge opposed on 3/4/24. The Court granted the People's motion on 3/26/24]. The gag order will be lifted after sentencing per Order.
7/1/24 Update: Trump’s legal team filed a letter Monday seeking to challenge Trump’s conviction after the Supreme Court ruled that that presidents have an absolute immunity from prosecution for core official acts. The Manhattan DA’s Office says it is open to delaying Trump’s sentencing to brief his motion to set aside his criminal conviction on business fraud charges in the wake of Monday’s Supreme Court decision on presidential immunity. “Although we believe defendant’s arguments to be without merit, we do not oppose his request for leave to file & his putative request to adjourn sentencing pending determination of his motion. We respectfully request a deadline of 7/24/24—two weeks after defendant’s requested deadline—to file & serve a response,” the DA said in a letter Tuesday.
7/2/24 Update: The 7/11/24 sentencing date is therefore vacated per Judge Merchan. The Court's decision will be tendered 9/5/24 & the matter is adjourned to 9/18/24 @ 10am for the imposition of sentence, if such is still necessary, ot other proceedings.
7/25/24 Docket update: People's Memorandum of Law in Opposition to Defendant's post-trial Motion. link: DocumentCloud.
8/1/24 Docket update: A New York appeals court has rejected Trump's attempt to terminate his gag order pending his sentencing in his criminal case. Supreme Court of the State of NY, Appellate Division. Justices J.P. Kennedy, Shulman, Pitt-Burke, Higgitt, O'Niell Levy, JJ. [Case #2024-04013]. Trump vs. Merchan. Since the underlying criminal action remains pending, Justice Merchan did not act in excess of jurisdiction by maintaining the narrowly tailored protections in paragraph (b) of the Restraining order. Contrary to petitioner’s contentions, the People’s evidentiary submissions in opposition to his motion in Supreme Court demonstrate that threats received by District Attorney staff after the jury verdict continued to pose a significant and imminent threat. We have considered petitioner’s remaining arguments and find them unavailing]. link: https://www.nycourts.gov/courts/ad1...8_Aug/01/PDF/Trump v Merchan (2024-04013).pdf
8/2/24 Update: Trump's lawyers again asked the judge overseeing Trump's criminal trial on charges stemming from hush money paid to a 🤬🤬🤬🤬 star to recuse himself, citing his daughter's work for Vice President Kamala Harris. Justice Juan Merchan has denied previous recusal requests by Trump's lawyers. In a court filing made public on Thursday [7/31/24], Trump's lawyers Todd Blanche & Emil Bove said the political consulting firm where Merchan's daughter works, Authentic, worked for Harris' 2020 presidential run & is working for Democratic groups this year. "Your Honor's daughter has a long-standing relationship with Harris, including work for political campaigns," Trump's lawyers wrote. "She has obtained - and stands to obtain in the future - extensive financial, professional & personal benefits from her relationship with Harris". Merchan rejected a similar recusal request by Trump's lawyers on April 15, 2024 before jury selection. He also denied a recusal request in 2023, after an ethics panel found that his daughter's work did not pose reasonable questions about his impartiality.
8/5/24 Update: On Monday, Judge Merchan said that he would issue a decision on Trump’s latest recusal request the week of 8/11/24. Judge Merchan also said that he would issue his immunity decision on 9/16/24 “if still necessary”.
8/13/24 Docket update: Decision on Defendant's Motion for Recusal. [“As has been the standard throughout the pendency of this case, this Court will continue to base its rulings on the evidence & the law, without fear or favor, casting aside undue influence. Defendant has provided nothing new for this Court to consider. Counsel has merely repeated arguments that have already been denied by this & higher courts. Defense Counsel's reliance & apparent citation to his own prior affirmation, rife with inaccuracies & unsubstantiated claims, is unavailing. As such, Defendant's motion is again DENIED”] signed by Acting Judge of the Supreme Court/Judge of the Court of Claims Juan M. Merchan. Link: https://www.nycourts.gov/LegacyPDFS/press/pdfs/Decision-Motion2Recuse-III.pdf
8/14/24 Update: Trump is seeking to push back sentencing in his criminal hush money case until after the 2024 presidential election, arguing that the current sentencing date of Sept. 18 advances what his attorneys call prosecutors' "naked election-interference objectives." Trump's request for a delay comes one day after Judge Merchan sharply criticized defense lawyers for raising "inaccurate & unsubstantiated claims" in their motion to have Merchan recused from the case based on an alleged conflict of interest involving his daughter & Vice President Kamala Harris. Merchan denied the motion. Despite Merchan denying their recusal motion, Trump's lawyers again raised their arguments about "conflicts & appearances of impropriety" in their letter urging a delayed sentencing. See post #671 article.
8/16/24 Update: Manhattan prosecutors responded to Blanche’s bid on Friday & said they wouldn’t oppose the delay, deferring to Judge Merchan to make the decision about whether a delay is necessary to allow for “orderly” appeals proceedings, or to limit the risk of a “disruptive” stay from a higher court.
8/29/24 Update: Attorneys for Trump on Thursday embarked on their second attempt to remove the former president’s “zombie” hush-money case to federal court, this time asking a judge to prevent a September sentencing in New York & set the stage for possible dismissal based on the Manhattan DA’s use of “official acts” in evidence, including tweets. In the removal notice submitted to Senior U.S. District Judge Alvin Hellerstein, Trump attorneys Todd Blanche & Emil Bove made the case that there is “evidence of local hostilities,” whether on the part of Acting New York Supreme Court Justice Juan Merchan or Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg & a need for an “unbiased forum” where he “can seek redress for […] Constitutional violations” and vacate his 34 falsification of business records guilty verdicts. In recent weeks, Merchan for the third time declined to recuse himself from the case & the defense responded by asking him to move sentencing past the 2024 election, suggesting it could be a way for the judge to “mitigate the asserted conflicts & appearances of impropriety” as the defense challenges the convictions in light of the Supreme Court’s immunity ruling & the state prosecution’s use of “official acts” evidence. Judge Alvin Hellerstein has rejected Trump's attempt to remove the Manhattan DA's criminal case to Federal court.
9/2/24 Update: U.S. District Judge Alvin Hellerstein on Tuesday swiftly rejected Trump’s request to intervene in his New York hush money criminal case, spurning Trump’s attempt at an end-run around the state court where he was convicted & is set to be sentenced in two weeks. Judge Hellerstein’s ruling — just hours after Trump’s lawyers asked him to weigh the move — upends Trump’s plan to move the case to federal court so that he could seek to have his conviction overturned in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court’s presidential immunity ruling. Hellerstein, echoing his denial of Trump’s pretrial bid to move the case, said the defense failed to meet the high burden of proof for changing jurisdiction & that Trump’s conviction for falsifying business records involved his personal life, not official actions that the Supreme Court ruled are immune from prosecution. In a four-page ruling, Hellerstein wrote that nothing about the high court’s July 1, 2024 ruling affected his previous conclusion that hush money payments at issue in Trump’s case “were private, unofficial acts, outside the bounds of executive authority.” Trump’s lawyers challenged the decision, filing a notice of appeal late Tuesday in the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. Trump & his lawyers “will continue to fight to move this Hoax into federal court where it should be put out of its misery once & for all,” his campaign spokesperson, Steven Cheung, said in a statement.
9/3/24 Update: Manhattan DA Bragg's team informs Justice Merchan that Trump's renewed bid to transfer his case to federal court has been rejected — and says there's no need to delay his sentencing on that particular basis.
9/5/24 Update: On Thursday, Justice Merchan informed prosecutors & Trump’s lawyers that he intended to rule on Friday, 9/6/24 about whether to postpone Trump’s sentencing until after Election Day, a court filing shows. The prosecutors, in turn, disclosed that timing in a separate filing in federal court, where Mr. Trump has tried but failed to move his case.
9/6/24 Update: Trump had asked Justice Juan Merchan to push back his sentencing date until after the US election. Trump had previously been scheduled to be sentenced on 9/18/24, less than two months before the election. Sentencing, “if necessary,” now set for November 26. Justice Merchan says he will issue a decision on Trump’s motion to toss his guilty verdicts based on presidential immunity on 11/12/24 @ 10am. [reset from 9/16/24]. Judge Merchan on Friday delayed Trump’s sentencing on charges stemming from hush money paid to a 🤬🤬🤬🤬 star until 11/26/24 @ 10am, if “necessary”.
9/9/24 Update: Trump's lawyers ask a federal appeals court to pause his New York criminal proceedings—even after getting sentencing delayed until 11/26/24. They claim the revised date "does not allow adequate time for interlocutory" appeal post-immunity ruling. See post #694, page 35, thread #4.
9/12/24 Update: A federal appeals court has rejected Trump’s request to halt post conviction proceedings in his hush money criminal case, leaving a key ruling & Trump's sentencing on track for after the November election. A three-judge panel of the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Manhattan cited the postponement last week of Trump’s sentencing from 9/18/24 to 11/26/24 in denying his motion for an emergency stay. The sentencing delay, which Trump had sought, removed the urgency required for the appeals court to consider pausing proceedings. The trial judge, Juan M. Merchan, announced the delay last Friday & said he now plans to rule 11/12/24 on Trump’s request to overturn the verdict & toss out the case because of the U.S. Supreme Court’s July presidential immunity ruling. Judge Merchan explained that he was postponing the sentencing to avoid any appearance that the proceeding “has been affected by or seeks to affect the approaching presidential election in which the Defendant is a candidate.”
 
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Nov. 12, 2024

The judge in Donald Trump’s Manhattan criminal hush-money case has postponed deciding on whether to throw out the president-elect’s conviction on presidential immunity grounds.

Judge Juan Merchan told Trump’s lawyers on Tuesday that he’d delay the ruling until 19 November after defense and prosecutors submitted a joint letter asking for a postponement.

The postponement followed numerous successful attempts to delay Trump’s case. Earlier this year, he was convicted on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records in a scheme to influence the 2016 election.
 
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Nov. 12, 2024

The judge in Donald Trump’s Manhattan criminal hush-money case has postponed deciding on whether to throw out the president-elect’s conviction on presidential immunity grounds.

Judge Juan Merchan told Trump’s lawyers on Tuesday that he’d delay the ruling until 19 November after defense and prosecutors submitted a joint letter asking for a postponement.

The postponement followed numerous successful attempts to delay Trump’s case. Earlier this year, he was convicted on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records in a scheme to influence the 2016 election.
DJT has free reign to do anything. No further comment.

jmo

edited to define who I meant by "he."
 
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Updated 11/12/24:
NY – vs Trump -34 felony criminal counts of falsifying business records in the 1st degree & conspiracy in connection with hush money payments to two women before the 2016 presidential election.
Judge Juan M. Merchan. Manhattan Attorney General Alvin Bragg. Defense attorneys Todd Blanche & Susan Necheles. New York County #IND-71543-23/001
Thursday, May 30th: Found guilty of all 34 charges.
Monday, 9/16/24 - @10am - Issue Judge’s Ruling Decision (re immunity) – reset!
Tuesday, 11/12/24 - @ 10am – Issue Judge’s Ruling Decision (re immunity). Reset to 11/19/24.
Tuesday, 11/19/24 - @ 10am – Issue Judge’s Ruling Decision (re immunity).
Tuesday, 11/26/24 - @10am – Sentencing hearing [reset from 9/18/24].
 
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Well - I guess we shall see if this happens today...

Tuesday, November 19th:
*Issue Judge’s Ruling Decision (re immunity) (@ 10am ET) – NY - *Donald John Trump (76/now 78) was indicted (3/30/23), formally arrested, charged & arraigned (4/4/23) with 34 felony counts of falsifying business records in the 1st degree & conspiracy in connection with hush money payments to two women [Stephanie Clifford aka adult actor Stormy Daniels & former Playboy model Karen McDougal] before the 2016 presidential election. Plead not guilty. Warrant vacated, released on own recognizance. New York County
New York: Submitting false invoices or checks. All 34 counts against Trump are felony charges (class E) instead of misdemeanors.
Trial began on 4/15/24 with jury selection & ended on 4/19/24. 12 jurors & 6 alternates. [Jurors: 7 men & 5 women/6 Alternates: 5 women & 1 man].
Trial began on 4/22/24 & ended on 5/28/24 with closing arguments. Prosecutors rested their case on 5/20/24. Defense began their case on 5/20/24 & ended on 5/21/24.
Verdict Watch: Jury deliberations Day 1 (5/29/24) started at 11:37am to 4:06pm. Total: 4 hours 30 minutes (includes 1 hour for lunch but deliberating). Day 2 (5/30/24) started at 11:17am to 4:30pm. Total: 5 hours & 15 minutes.
Total Deliberations: ~9 hours & 45 minutes. Verdict:
Guilty on all 34 felony charges.
New York Supreme Court Judge Juan Marchan presiding. Manhattan Attorney General Alvin Bragg. Prosecutors are Susan Hoffinger, Joshua Steinglass & Matthew Colangelo. Defense attorneys Todd Blanche, Emil Bove, Susan Necheles & Gedalia Stern.

Investigation & court info from 3/30/23 thru 4/12/24 & Jury Selection Days 1-4 (4/15-4/19/24) & Trial Day 1-19 (4/22-5/30/24) & Jury Deliberations Day 1-2 (5/29-30/24) & thru 9/9/24 reference post #725 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...s-apr-2023-trial-25-mar-2024-4.713952/page-37

9/12/24 Update: A federal appeals court has rejected Trump’s request to halt post conviction proceedings in his hush money criminal case, leaving a key ruling & Trump's sentencing on track for after the November election. A three-judge panel of the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Manhattan cited the postponement last week of Trump’s sentencing from 9/18/24 to 11/26/24 in denying his motion for an emergency stay. The sentencing delay, which Trump had sought, removed the urgency required for the appeals court to consider pausing proceedings. The trial judge, Juan M. Merchan, announced the delay last Friday & said he now plans to rule 11/12/24 on Trump’s request to overturn the verdict & toss out the case because of the U.S. Supreme Court’s July presidential immunity ruling. Judge Merchan explained that he was postponing the sentencing to avoid any appearance that the proceeding “has been affected by or seeks to affect the approaching presidential election in which the Defendant is a candidate.”
11/11/24 Update: Justice Merchan has granted a request from prosecutions/defense to pause deadlines — including Trump's sentencing date — while they consider the effect of his election as president.
11/12/24 Update: Judge Merchan delays ruling on whether to throw out conviction. Postponement follows numerous successful attempts to delay case where he was convicted on 34 felony counts. Judge Juan Merchan told Trump’s lawyers on Tuesday that he’d delay the ruling until 11/19/24. Sentencing on 11/26/24 @ 9am.
 
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Donald Trump’s Nov. 26 sentencing in his New York hush money case was adjourned by the court as the judge weighs how to handle the prosecution in the wake of the former president’s reelection victory.

The sentencing was called off without explanation Tuesday in a short note by the court.

 
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In a new letter, Alvin Bragg's team tells Justice Merchan how they want to proceed with Trump's hush money case now that he's president-elect.


"Consideration must be given to various non-dismissal options ... such as deferral of all remaining criminal proceedings until after the end of Defendant’s upcoming presidential term,” DA Alvin Bragg said.


 
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In a new letter, Alvin Bragg's team tells Justice Merchan how they want to proceed with Trump's hush money case now that he's president-elect.


"Consideration must be given to various non-dismissal options ... such as deferral of all remaining criminal proceedings until after the end of Defendant’s upcoming presidential term,” DA Alvin Bragg said.


Much as I expected. Moo
 
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In a new letter, Alvin Bragg's team tells Justice Merchan how they want to proceed with Trump's hush money case now that he's president-elect.


"Consideration must be given to various non-dismissal options ... such as deferral of all remaining criminal proceedings until after the end of Defendant’s upcoming presidential term,” DA Alvin Bragg said.


As they should. He's not in there yet. IMO
 
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The judge overseeing Donald Trump’s criminal hush money trial has adjourned his sentencing, which was set for next week.

Judge Juan Merchan also agreed to hold off on issuing his decision on presidential immunity until after he reviews the parties’ filings.

Merchan granted Trump’s request to file a motion to dismiss the case – ordering them to submit their papers by December 2. Prosecutors are ordered to respond by December 9. Trump’s team wanted to have until December 20 to file their paperwork.

The judge did not set a new sentencing date or make any further statements about the delay.





 

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