In a significant development, Juan Merchan, a New York judge overseeing the hush money trial of Donald Trump, has granted the former president an unconditional discharge. This decision means that while Trump will not face a fine or probation supervision, he is officially designated as a convicted felon, pending the outcome of his future appeals.
The high-profile trial, which began in March 2023, has been a focal point of U.S. politics and legal proceedings. Here is a timeline of the key events:
- March 30, 2023: A grand jury in New York indicted Donald Trump for allegedly paying $130,000 as hush money to adult film star Stormy Daniels ahead of the 2016 presidential election.
- April 4, 2023: Trump was arraigned in New York City, becoming the first former U.S. president to be criminally indicted.
- April 15, 2024: Trump appeared in a criminal court in Manhattan, marking the first time a former U.S. president stood trial in a criminal case.
- May 30, 2024: A New York jury found Trump guilty on all 34 felony counts of falsifying business records to conceal the hush money payment, making him the first former U.S. president convicted of a crime.
- July 2, 2024: Judge Merchan postponed Trump's sentencing date from July 11 to September 18.
- September 6, 2024: The sentencing date was further postponed to November 26, after election day.
- November 22, 2024: Judge Merchan agreed to indefinitely postpone sentencing following Trump's victory in the 2024 presidential election.
- December 16, 2024: The New York State Supreme Court denied Trump's motion to overturn his conviction on the grounds of presidential immunity.
- January 3, 2025: Judge Merchan set January 10 as the new sentencing date.
- January 9, 2025: The New York State Court of Appeals rejected a motion by Trump's lawyers to halt the sentencing scheduled for the next day. Additionally, the U.S. Supreme Court refused to postpone the sentencing, confirming January 10 as the final date.
Despite the unconditional discharge, Trump's status as a convicted felon remains subject to the appeals process, leaving the door open for potential future legal developments.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
