New York Judge has rejected President-elect Donald Trump’s bid to toss his conviction in his New York criminal hush money case.
Fox News reports that Judge Juan Merchan rejected Trump’s request to vacate the verdict in the case based on the Supreme Court’s presidential immunity decision.
Merchan said he will not sentence Trump to prison.
Sentencing is set for January 10, with Trump having the option to appear in person or virtually.
Merchan had also last month denied Trump attorneys’ request to dismiss charges on the basis of presidential immunity.
The trial stemmed from the investigation related to alleged hush money payments run by the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office.
Trump had pleaded not guilty to 34 counts of falsifying business records in the first degree.
Merchan wrote in his decision that he is not likely to “impose any sentence of incarceration,” but rather a sentence of an “unconditional discharge,” which means there would be no punishment imposed.
DAILY POST reports that Trump will be sworn in as the 47th President of the United States on January 20.
Merchan noted that he is still reviewing the other motions filed by Trump to dismiss the case.
He also rejected the District Attorney, DA’s, suggestion that he preserve the verdict, but end proceedings as it would deny Trump’s right to a path to appeal.
However, Trump spokesman and incoming White House Communications Director, Steven Cheung, stated that there should be no sentencing, and that Trump will continue fighting against hoaxes until they are all dead.
“Today’s order by the deeply conflicted, Acting Justice Merchan in the Manhattan DA Witch Hunt is a direct violation of the Supreme Court’s Immunity decision and other longstanding jurisprudence.
“This lawless case should have never been brought and the Constitution demands that it be immediately dismissed. President Trump must be allowed to continue the Presidential Transition process and to execute the vital duties of the presidency, unobstructed by the remains of this or any remnants of the Witch Hunts,” he said.
