New York – Former President Donald Trump faces the start of his first criminal trial on April 15, according to a ruling by New York Supreme Court Justice Juan Merchan on Monday. The judge dismissed claims of prosecutorial misconduct against the Manhattan district attorney’s office, further solidifying the trial’s dates on track after prior delays due to new evidence.
The trial revolves around an alleged hush money payment reimbursement, dating back to a federal investigation into Michael Cohen, Trump’s former lawyer, and fixer. Cohen pleaded guilty in 2018 to campaign finance violations related to a payment made to an adult film actress, allegedly on Trump’s instruction. The charges against Trump include falsifying business records associated with Cohen’s repayment.
Despite assertions from Trump’s legal team regarding pretrial publicity affecting the fairness of the trial, the judge remained skeptical of any attempts to delay further. The judge also commended the Manhattan district attorney’s office for an extensive review of the potential evidence, ensuring fairness in the trial process.
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg agreed on the initial delay for reviewing the late-produced documents, acknowledging the need for thoroughness in the case. The judge emphasized that the district attorney’s office went above and beyond in handling the material, ultimately denying claims of misconduct.
The legal proceedings also revealed a delay in obtaining federal records relevant to the case, with the defense team subpoenaing the prosecutor’s office only two months before the original trial date. The judge questioned the timing of this action and highlighted the defense’s responsibility to obtain necessary documents in a timely manner.
During a brief break in the proceedings, Trump received a favorable ruling in a separate legal case, reducing the bond size required in a civil business fraud case with New York Attorney General Letitia James. This development brought a moment of relief for Trump, who returned to the courtroom with a smile and a thumbs-up gesture.
As Trump’s legal battles continue amid his presidential aspirations, the upcoming trial serves as a pivotal moment in the legal scrutiny surrounding his actions during his time in office. With the trial set to proceed in April, all eyes are on the courtroom as the former president faces one of many legal challenges on his path to re-election.