New York Judge Again Postpones Verdict Of Trump's Mouth Close Money Case

JAKARTA - New York State Judge Juan Merchant has again postponed the verdict against US President-elect Donald Trump in the case of silence money.

As reported by ANTARA from Anadolu, Merchant's ruling on Friday (22/11) marks the third time the verdict for Trump has been suspended, after the US president-elect was convicted earlier this year of falsifying business records to cover the payment of mouth shut money to an adult film star.

Merchant gave Trump lawyers a deadline of December 2 to file a motion to cancel the case, and gave prosecutors until December 9 to respond, according to an NBC report.

Prosecutors on Tuesday (19/11) said they would not oppose delaying the verdict to give Trump's lawyers time to develop any legal arguments to overturn the case.

However, prosecutors pledged to fight any attempt to stop Trump's case.

"The public has great respect for the Presidential Office, is aware of the demands and obligations of the presidency, and recognizes that the Defendant's inauguration will raise unprecedented legal questions. We also highly respect the bottom role of the jury in our constitutional system," the prosecutors wrote, according to NBC News.

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg said it was open to delaying sentences until Trump completed his second term as US president.

However, Trump's lawyers said their clients couldn't wait too long.

Trump was found guilty by Manhattan judges in May of 34 charges against him, linked to a $130,000 payment to adult film star Stormy Daniels, with the intention of influencing the results of the 2016 Presidential Election.

Trump will be sworn in for his second term on January 20, 2025, after defeating Democratic candidate Kamala Harris in this year's US Presidential Election.