A New York appeals court denied former President Donald Trump’s request to delay his trial on fraud charges related to hush payments made by his personal attorney before the 2016 election. The trial is set to begin next week on April 15, despite Trump’s efforts to change the venue and stall the legal proceedings.
Judge Lizbeth González of the New York Supreme Court Appellate Division issued the order denying Trump’s application for a trial delay. Trump had argued that New Yorkers, including Judge Juan Merchan, who is overseeing the case, were biased against him and could not provide a fair trial.
Donald J. Trump (Credits: ABC News)
Prosecutors countered Trump’s claims, stating that the trial court can select an impartial jury and that Trump himself had attempted to influence the jury pool through media appearances discussing the case and its details. With the appeals court’s ruling, jury selection will proceed as planned next week.
Trump faces around 34 charges of falsifying business records to conceal payments made to adult film star Stormy Daniels, who alleged an affair with Trump. Trump has consistently denied these allegations.
Donald Trump (Credits: Times of India)
Legal analysts and commentators have criticized Trump’s repeated attempts to delay the trial, labeling them as delay tactics. Trump’s lawsuit against the Manhattan judge overseeing the case, seeking to change the venue and lift a gag order, was also mentioned as part of his broader legal strategy.
The swift rejection of Trump’s latest delay tactic by the appeals court highlights the frustration of New York courts with such tactics. Former Justice Department lawyer Andrew Weissmann urged the U.S. Supreme Court, which is set to hear arguments on Trump’s absolute immunity from criminal prosecution, to take note of New York courts’ actions and uphold the right to a fair and public trial.
