Decide refuses to delay Trump’s “hush cash” trial whereas Supreme Courtroom weighs presidential immunity

Washington — The choose overseeing former President Donald Trump’s felony case in New York rejected his last-minute bid to delay the beginning of the trial till after the U.S. Supreme Courtroom guidelines on Trump’s presidential immunity declare. 

Trump had requested to push again the beginning date for his trial, which is said to a “hush cash” cost made by an legal professional for Trump to grownup movie star Stormy Daniels earlier than the 2016 election, till after the Supreme Courtroom guidelines on whether or not he’s shielded from felony prosecution by “presidential immunity” in one other considered one of his felony circumstances. The trial is slated to start April 15. 

Manhattan Decide Juan Merchan denied the request Wednesday, saying it was “premature” and that Trump’s legal professionals had months to boost the problem earlier than the movement was filed in March. 

“This Courtroom finds that Defendant had myriad alternatives to boost the declare of presidential immunity nicely earlier than March 7, 2024,” Merchan wrote. “Defendant may have accomplished so in his omnibus motions on September 29, 2023, which have been filed a mere six days earlier than he briefed the identical situation in his Federal Revolt Matter and several other months after he introduced his movement for elimination to federal court docket on Might 4, 2023.” 

Trump is charged with 34 felony counts of falsification of enterprise data tied to funds reimbursing his then-attorney Michael Cohen, who had paid the grownup movie star. Trump has pleaded not responsible and denies all wrongdoing.