Historic Sentence for Donald Trump in Stormy Daniels Case
A Manhattan District Court has delivered a historic sentence in the case of former porn film actress Stormy Daniels, condemning Donald Trump in a symbolic ruling that does not involve jail time or a fine.
Unconditional Discharge
Manhattan District Court Judge Juan Merchan stated that the court has determined an unconditional discharge as the only legal ruling that allows the entry of a conviction without encroaching on the highest office in the land. This unusual sentence maintains guilt but does not carry a jail sentence, fine, or probation.
Background of the Case
Donald Trump, the 78-year-old Republican, was found guilty last May by a popular jury of 34 counts of accounting falsification to hide the payment of $130,000 to Stormy Daniels in the final stretch of the 2016 elections. The payment was made to conceal a fleeting extramarital relationship ten years earlier, which was passed off as legal expenses.
Trump’s Reaction
The president-elect called the criminal process a “shame for the judicial system.” He claimed that the trial was done “to damage my reputation so that I would lose the elections and obviously that did not work.”
Supreme Court’s Decision
The conservative Supreme Court narrowly rejected an emergency appeal to prevent the announcement of the sentence, with a vote of five to four. This decision came after Trump’s lawyers tried to invoke the favorable ruling of the Supreme Court, which last July decreed presidential immunity for official acts.
Prosecutor’s Statement
The prosecutor in the case, Joshua Steinglass, recalled that the jury’s verdict was “unanimous and decisive and must be respected.” He accused the former and future president of “engaging in a coordinated campaign to undermine” the process, causing harm to the public perception of the criminal justice system.
Trump’s Influence on the Supreme Court
The revelation of Trump’s telephone conversation with conservative Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito raised fears about his alleged influence over the country’s highest judicial authority.
Unofficial Conduct
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg recalled that when Trump was “accused, tried, and convicted for conduct that he admits is totally unofficial” he was a private citizen.
Postponements and Appeals
Trump’s sentencing had been postponed several times since July, following the Supreme Court’s decision. The president-elect and Manhattan prosecutors argued over how to proceed in the unprecedented situation of his re-election.
Other Pending Cases
This has been the only one of the four cases pending against Trump that has put him on the bench. The other three cases, including those for the alleged attempt to reverse the result of the 2020 presidential election and for the preservation of classified documents in his house, have been suspended after his election.