The judge sets the date / When the hearing against former president Trump will take place

2023-05-23 22:35:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

The judge sets the date / When the hearing against former president Trump will

Former US President Donald Trump

A judge on Tuesday set March 25, 2024, as the tentative date for a trial against former President Donald Trump, which would coincide with the height of the season for the presidential candidate within the Republican Party.

The judge announced the date in a hearing that Mr. Trump attended via video. He pleaded not guilty last month to 34 counts of falsifying business records.

In Tuesday's hearing, Manhattan District Judge Juan Merchan considered an order barring former President Trump from publicly releasing some evidence submitted by prosecutors.

Mr. Trump was allowed not to appear in person in court to avoid the huge security and logistical challenges that accompanied his indictment last month.

The former Republican president can speak publicly about the criminal case, according to Judge Merchan's order, but he could be held liable for contempt of court if he uses evidence provided by prosecutors against witnesses or other people involved in the case.

Mr. Trump pleaded not guilty on April 4 to 34 counts of falsifying business records related to payments his company made to his former lawyer, Michael Cohen.

Prosecutors say the payments were intended to reimburse and compensate Mr. Cohen for making payments in exchange for silence during the 2016 campaign regarding allegations of extramarital affairs. Mr Trump denies having an extramarital affair and says the prosecution is politically motivated.

Judge Merchan's order prohibits Mr. Trump and his lawyers from releasing evidence to third parties or posting it on social media, and requires that some sensitive material shared by prosecutors be kept only by Mr. Trump's lawyers, not himself .

Prosecutors sought the court order shortly after Mr. Trump's arrest, citing what they say is his tendency to make "harassing, put-down and threatening statements" about people with whom he is engaged in legal disputes.

Judge Merchan, noting Mr. Trump's "special" status as a former president and current candidate, made clear that the protective order should not be construed as an order to silence him and that Mr. Trump has right to defend himself publicly.

Former President Trump's lawyers are seeking to have his criminal case transferred to federal court. Until it is decided whether such a thing will be accepted, it will continue in the state court./ VOA