Democratic Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg is not taking a position on former President Donald Trump’s request to delay his sentencing date in New York, according to a filing sent Friday.
Trump’s attorneys asked Judge Juan Merchan last week to push his sentencing, currently set for Sept. 18, until after the November election. In a filing, Bragg’s office said it would “defer to the Court” on whether a delay is necessary to “allow for orderly appellate litigation,” writing they are “prepared to appear for sentencing on any future date the Court sets.”
“The People are also mindful that significant public safety and logistical steps by multiple agencies are necessary to prepare for court appearances in this matter,” prosecutors wrote.
Last week, Trump’s attorneys argued that a delay is necessary to ensure they have “adequate time to assess and pursue state and federal appellate options” if Merchan rejects their motion to set aside the jury’s verdict based on the Supreme Court’s ruling on presidential immunity. Merchan has said he intends to rule on the motion Sept. 16.
Trump was convicted in May on 34 counts for falsifying business records.
Prosecutors acknowledged Trump’s intent to immediately appeal any adverse ruling “may mean that significant preparatory steps are taken, only to have such steps disturbed by appellate litigation.” However, they said none of Trump’s other arguments “merit any consideration.”
