President-elect Donald Trump’s bid to toss his “hush money” case was denied Friday by a Manhattan judge — who scheduled sentencing for 10 days before the inauguration.
Manhattan Supreme Court Justice Juan Merchan wrote in the highly-anticipated decision that he was inclined to sentence Trump to “unconditional discharge” — meaning no imprisonment, fines or probation supervision.
“A sentence of an unconditional discharge appears to be the most viable solution to ensure finality and allow Defendant to pursue his appellate options,” the 18-page ruling reads. Metro
President-elect Donald Trump’s bid to toss his “hush money” case was denied Friday by a Manhattan judge — who scheduled sentencing for 10 days before the inauguration.
Manhattan Supreme Court Justice Juan Merchan wrote in the highly-anticipated decision that he was inclined to sentence Trump to “unconditional discharge” — meaning no imprisonment, fines or probation supervision.
“A sentence of an unconditional discharge appears to be the most viable solution to ensure finality and allow Defendant to pursue his appellate options,” the 18-page ruling reads.
The judge said Trump could appear either in person or virtually for the sentencing, which he set for Jan. 10 — noting it was in the public’s best interest to bring closure to the case before Inauguration Day.
Merchan kept intact the jury verdict finding Trump guilty on 34 felonies for concealing a payoff that hid a sex scandal before the 2016 presidential election — rejecting his claim that the case should vanish because voters elected him to a second term
