In a landmark decision, a Manhattan court has set the sentencing hearing for former United States of America President Donald Trump on July 11, 2024, at 10 a.m. ET. This development comes after a jury found Trump guilty on multiple counts in his high-profile ‘hush money’ trial.
On Thursday May 30, Judge Juan Merchan announced the sentencing date, marking a significant step in the legal proceedings against the former president. The jury, which reached its verdict on Thursday, found Trump guilty on all 34 counts of falsifying business records related to the alleged cover-up of payments to adult film star Stormy Daniels.
Details of the case
The charges stemmed from 11 invoices, 12 vouchers, and 11 checks that constituted Trump’s monthly reimbursement payments to his former attorney, Michael Cohen. Cohen had advanced $130,000 to Daniels, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford, to secure her silence about an alleged affair with Trump. The 12-person jury deliberated over whether Trump falsified business records to conceal the hush money payments.
Trump’s denial, legal defense
Throughout the trial, Donald Trump maintained his innocence, pleading not guilty to all charges and denying the affair with Daniels. The payment, made just days before the 2016 presidential election, has been a focal point of the case. According to prosecutors, the Trump Organization reimbursed Cohen in 12 monthly payments, which were falsely logged as checks for ongoing legal services.
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The former president’s legal team has argued that the payments were legitimate and that the charges are politically motivated. However, the jury’s unanimous verdict indicates a thorough agreement on the misconduct involved. The outcome of this case could have significant implications for Trump’s future, both legally and politically. The July 11 sentencing will be a critical moment, potentially setting a precedent for how such high-profile cases are handled in the future.
