(RepublicanNews.org) – After a landmark decision by a Manhattan jury to convict former President Donald Trump of falsifying business records in New York, the judge gave Trump a sentencing date which is just a few days before the Republican National Convention in July.
On Thursday, May 30th, Trump was found guilty on each of the 34 counts against him for allegedly falsifying business records to cover up hush money payments to an adult film actress, a model, and a doorman during the 2016 presidential election. Deliberations leading up to the verdict began the day before, on Wednesday, May 29th, and went on for over nine hours before the jury came to a verdict. After the jury felt the courtroom, Trump’s lawyer Todd Blanche made an acquittal motion but Merchan denied the motion.
Trump’s sentencing is scheduled for July 11th, which is only four days before the RNC gathering. For each count, the former president could face anything from fines to four years in prison. The sentence is expected to be handed down for each offense concurrently rather than consecutively.
The former president called the verdict a “disgrace” and the trial “rigged.” He also blamed Judge Juan Merchan, who he called “a conflicted judge” and described as “corrupt.” The trial began on April 15th and went on for several weeks, during which Trump continued to juggle his campaign while attending court.
Even if Trump is sentenced to prison time, he should still be able to attend the RNC as he would most likely be permitted to remain free while his lawyers appeal the verdict, which could take several months. Meanwhile, his campaign coffers are overflowing with donation money, having raised over $34 million in just a few hours after the guilty verdict was announced, and exceeding $50 million since.
Trump’s legal battles have not impacted his popularity, it seems. Aside from the influx of money, recent polls show him either neck-and-neck with Biden or inching ahead of him, especially in most of the swing states.
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