KUALA LUMPUR — Prosecutors in US-president elect Donald Trump’s hush money trial have recommended to the court to postpone his sentencing which was due this month.
Prosecutors said in a filing that they are in “uncharted territory” with regards to sentencing a president, adding that it might have to take place after Trump completes his term in office, NBC News reported.
“(The people) acknowledge that the Defendant’s inauguration will raise unprecedented legal questions,” the prosecutors, in New York where the case was held, said in their filing.
“Given the need to balance competing constitutional interests, consideration must be given to various non-dismissal options that may address any concerns raised by the pendency of a post-trial criminal proceeding during the presidency, such as deferral of all remaining criminal proceedings until after the end of Defendant’s upcoming presidential term,” the filing also says.
In May, Trump was convicted on all counts of covering up his payment to porn star Stormy Daniels who claimed she had a sexual encounter with the president-elect in 2006. Trump has denied the allegations.
The court was to have decided Trump’s sentence later this month but that became uncertain after he won the presidential election on Nov 5.
NBC News reports that Judge Juan Merchan would need the Manhattan District Attorney’s office to approve the prosecution’s proposal for delayed sentencing.
The matter is now under a stay by the court, while the district attorney’s office has till next week to submit a filing.
Trump’s lawyers, Todd Blanche and Emil Bove – who have been nominated by the president-elect for deputy attorney-general and association deputy attorney general – have also applied for full presidential immunity.
The US Supreme Court ruled in July this year to expand the limits of presidential immunity, resulting in protections for Trump in some of his conduct.
The prosecution is reported to be against against full immunity but is willing to delay sentencing till after Trump’s term in office. – November 20, 2024