A New York appeals court judge denied Donald Trump’s third legal attempt to delay his impending criminal trial. The trial, set to begin on April 15 with jury selection, centers around hush money payments made during the 2016 presidential campaign. Trump’s attorneys sought a stay, arguing against restrictions imposed by Judge Juan Merchan, including a partial gag order and the rejection of a defense based on presidential immunity. Trump’s legal team also raised concerns about the judge’s alleged conflict of interest due to his daughter’s work for a political firm that supported President Joe Biden’s campaign in 2020. Prosecutors from the Manhattan district attorney’s office opposed the delay, stating that it would cause significant disruption and was unnecessary.
The court docket revealed that Trump’s attorneys filed the challenge under Article 78 of New York law, which allows litigants to seek relief from unlawful government actions. The documents were filed under seal. During an emergency hearing, Trump’s attorney Emil Bove argued for a stay based on various issues, including the judge’s alleged impropriety and the denial of the presidential immunity defense. Prosecutors refuted Bove’s arguments, calling them meritless and highlighting the potential conflicts that could arise from delaying the trial. Despite Trump’s repeated attempts to halt the proceedings, the trial is scheduled to move forward as planned on Monday.
Earlier in the week, Trump had filed another Article 78 petition to stop the trial, claiming that he could not receive a fair trial in Manhattan. However, this request was also denied by a judge. The legal challenges come as Trump faces charges of falsifying business records related to hush money payments. The former president has pleaded not guilty to the charges. With the trial slated to begin in a matter of days, the ongoing legal battle over delays and challenges continues to unfold. The latest denial by the appeals court judge signifies that Trump’s efforts to postpone the trial have thus far been unsuccessful.
The proceedings have been marked by contentious arguments from both sides, with Trump’s legal team raising concerns about the judge’s impartiality and the restrictions imposed on the defense. Prosecutors have pushed back against these claims, asserting that any delay would disrupt the judicial process and potentially create conflicts with Trump’s legal matters elsewhere. As the trial date looms closer, the legal wrangling shows no signs of abating. The high-profile nature of the case, coupled with the political implications of the charges, has thrust the proceedings into the spotlight. Despite Trump’s efforts to delay the trial, the legal system appears poised to move forward with the case as scheduled.
The involvement of high-profile legal professionals and reporters, such as Lisa Rubin, Adam Reiss, Dareh Gregorian, and Zoë Richards, underscores the significance of the trial and its broader implications. As the legal battle continues to unfold, all eyes are on the Manhattan district attorney’s office and Trump’s legal team as they navigate the complexities of the criminal trial. With the trial set to commence imminently, the focus now shifts to the courtroom, where the case against Trump will be presented and deliberated. The denial of Trump’s latest legal challenge signals that the trial is on track to proceed, setting the stage for a potentially groundbreaking legal showdown.
