China News Network, May 5 According to the Associated Press, on the 24rd local time, a New York judge said that former US President Trump was accused of falsifying business records and concealing the criminal case of paying hush money to adult film actors, and the trial will begin on March 23, 2024.
US media said that this means that Trump, who is vying to re-enter the White House, will appear in court at the height of the presidential primary.
On May 5, local time, former US President Trump attended the pretrial hearing by video. The picture shows a sketch of the courtroom scene.
According to reports, Trump appeared at the pretrial hearing by video on the 23rd. Judge Juan Merchan recommended that Trump cancel other activities during the trial because the trial could last weeks.
In April, Trump appeared in New York on a "hush money" case, where he was charged with 4 felony counts of falsifying business records after a grand jury found 34 documents that pointed to false statements on business records before and after the 34 U.S. presidential election to conceal negative information and illegal activities from voters, which involved paying $2016,13 in "hush money" to "star" Daniels and falsifying business records. Trump has refused to plead guilty.
The Associated Press said that Trump did not say much in court on the 23rd, but then launched a fierce attack on social media, believing that his right to "freedom of speech" was violated, "They also forced us to set the trial date for March 3, which coincided with the primary election." ”
"Very unfair, but that's exactly what radical left-wing Democrats want." Trump wrote. "It's called election interference, and nothing like this has ever happened in our country before!!!
Merchamp reiterated his restrictions on Trump's use of materials in the case and asked Trump lawyers if they had read the restrictions with his client, and the lawyer affirmed.
Previously, Meierchamp issued an order restricting Trump's release of evidence related to the "hush money" case on social platforms. The order says anyone with access to relevant evidence "shall not copy, disseminate or disclose these materials to third parties, including social media platforms, without prior approval from the court."
In addition, certain sensitive materials shared by prosecutors must only be kept by Trump's lawyers, not Trump himself.
Merchamp said it was not a "gag order" and that Trump was free to talk about the case and defend himself, but he could not use evidence handed over by prosecutors to attack witnesses or post sensitive documents on social media. If he disobeys the order, he runs the risk of being found in contempt of court.