Alvin Bragg Leaves Decision on Trump Sentencing Up to Judge Merchan

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg remained neutral on former president Donald Trump’s request to delay sentencing in his hush money trial until after the November presidential election, Reuters reported, and Bragg has deferred to Judge Juan Merchan for the decision.

Merchan is presiding over Trump’s hush money trial. In May, Trump was convicted on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records related to claims he orchestrated a hush money payment to former adult film actress Stormy Daniels ahead of the 2016 presidential election to avoid exposing an alleged affair.

Trump, who denies a sexual relationship with Daniels and maintains his innocence, is scheduled to be sentenced on September 18, but his legal team has requested that the sentencing be delayed until after the presidential election.

In a letter to Merchan, Bragg noted Trump’s right to appeal and deferred to the judge for the decision, taking no position on Trump’s efforts to delay sentencing.

“We defer to the Court on whether an adjournment is warranted,” the letter said, according to the Reuters report. “The People are prepared to appear for sentencing on any future date the Court sets.”

This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.