Northeast
New York judge sets Trump sentencing days before inauguration
President-elect Trump’s bid to toss his conviction in his New York criminal hush money case was denied on Friday.
New York Judge Juan Merchan rejected Trump’s request to vacate the verdict in the case based on the Supreme Court’s presidential immunity decision.
Sentencing is set for January 10 at 9:30 a.m, with the president-elect having the option to appear in person or virtually. But Merchan said he will not sentence the president-elect to prison.
Merchan wrote in his decision that he is not likely to “impose any sentence of incarceration,” but rather a sentence of an “unconditional discharge,” which means there would be no punishment imposed.
Trump will be sworn in as the 47th President of the United States on January 20.
ATLANTA, GEORGIA – OCTOBER 15: Republican presidential nominee, former U.S. President Donald Trump delivers remarks during a campaign rally at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre on October 15, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia. With early voting starting today in Georgia both Trump and Democratic presidential nominee, Vice President Kamala Harris are campaigning in the Atlanta region this week as polls show a tight race. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)
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Merchan noted that he is still reviewing the other motions filed by Trump to dismiss the case.
He also rejected the DA’s suggestion that he preserve the verdict, but end proceedings as it would deny Trump’s right to a path to appeal.
“Today’s order by the deeply conflicted, Acting Justice Merchan in the Manhattan DA Witch Hunt is a direct violation of the Supreme Court’s Immunity decision and other longstanding jurisprudence,” Trump spokesman and incoming White House Communications Director Steven Cheung told Fox News Digital. “This lawless case should have never been brought and the Constitution demands that it be immediately dismissed. President Trump must be allowed to continue the Presidential Transition process and to execute the vital duties of the presidency, unobstructed by the remains of this or any remnants of the Witch Hunts.”
Cheung added: “There should be no sentencing, and President Trump will continue fighting against these hoaxes until they are all dead.”
Last month, Merchan also denied Trump attorneys’ request to dismiss charges on the basis of presidential immunity.
The ruling comes after President-elect Trump and his team in July requested Merchan overturn his guilty verdict in New York v. Trump, citing the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling that presidents have immunity for official acts.
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Merchan ruled that the evidence presented in the trial was related “entirely to unofficial conduct and thus, receive no immunity protections.”
Trump pleaded not guilty to 34 counts of falsifying business records in the first degree stemming from the yearslong investigation related to alleged hush money payments run by the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office. Former Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance initiated the investigation, and Bragg prosecuted Trump.
After an unprecedented six-week trial in New York City, a jury found the president guilty on all counts.
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that a former president has substantial immunity for official acts committed while in office.
In the formal motion in July, Trump attorney Todd Blanche pointed to the Supreme Court’s immunity decision, and argued that certain evidence of “official acts” should not have been admitted during the trial.
Trump attorneys, last month, officially requested to “immediately” dismiss charges against the president-elect in New York v. Trump, declaring the “failed lawfare” case “should never have been brought.”
TRUMP REQUESTS NY JUDGE OVERTURN GUILTY VERDICT, INDICTMENT AFTER SCOTUS IMMUNITY RULING
Trump attorneys said the case “would never have been brought were it not for President Trump’s political views, the transformative national movement established under his leadership, and the political threat that he poses to entrenched, corrupt politicians in Washington, D.C. and beyond.”
Trump lawyers said that “wrongly continuing proceedings in this failed lawfare case disrupts President Trump’s transition efforts and his preparations to wield the full Article II executive power authorized by the Constitution pursuant to the overwhelming national mandate granted to him by the American people on November 5, 2024.”
Bragg, in November, requested to Judge Juan Merchan that the case be stayed until the end of Trump’s second term, but Trump attorneys noted that the Office of Legal Counsel in the Justice Department concluded that “the categorical prohibition on the federal indictment of a sitting president…even if the case were held in abeyance…applies to this situation.”
They added that Bragg’s “ridiculous suggestion that they could simply resume proceedings after President Trump leaves Office, more than a decade after they commenced their investigation in 2018, is not an option.”
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New Hampshire
Man From Concord Arrested On Drug Sale, Subsequent Possession Charges: Concord Police Log
Michael L. Poissant Jr., born in 1965, of Franklin, was arrested at 10:03 p.m. on June 3 on a driving after revocation or suspension-subsequent charge and a stop signs; yield signs violation after an incident or investigation on Merchants Way.
Alison Marie Lombard, born in 1978, of Concord, was arrested at 7:48 p.m. on June 2 on a criminal mischief charge and a bench warrant after an incident or investigation on Loudon Road.
Cathy J. Delisle, born in 1964, of Concord, was arrested at 8 a.m. on June 2 on criminal mischief, simple assault, and domestic violence-simple assault charges after an incident or investigation on Snow Pond Road.
Asende Alinoti, born in 1988, of Concord, was arrested at 9:09 p.m. on May 29 on criminal trespass and breach of bail charges after an incident or investigation at the Morning Star Condominiums on Loudon Road.
Do you have a news tip? Email it to tony.schinella@patch.com. View videos on Tony Schinella’s YouTube or Rumble channels. Patch in New Hampshire is now in 227 communities and neighborhoods — and expanding every day. Also, follow Patch on Google Discover.
New Jersey
Mikie Sherrill welcomes July 4 tall ships to NJ at Sandy Hook
3-minute read
See video of tall ships in Sandy Hook Bay for America’s 250th birthday
Tall ships anchor in Sandy Hook Bay before joining the Parade of Ships July 4 on the Hudson River in NYC, celebrating America’s 250th birthday.
As the nation celebrates its 250 anniversary, New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill welcomed tall ships that will enter New York Harbor for an International Parade of Sail. This fleet of giant sailboats will sail around New York this weekend, including a pass by to salute the Statue of Liberty.
But before departing for New York, Sherrill greated the ships and their captains at Sandy Hook.
As temperatures approached 100 degrees, Sherrill was joined in admiring the flotialla by her husband, Jason Hedberg; Rep. Frank Pallone, the Democrat who represents the 9th Congressional District; and ship captains from 20 different countries.
Sherrill summons New Jersey’s role in the Revolution
Sherrill noted that Sandy Hook played a storied role in America’s fight for independence as it was the spot where then General George Washington’s army drove the British back for the final time.
“It’s this harbor that has been the gateway to America ever since. A beacon for freedom, welcoming immigrants, a channel for commerce, building a strong middle class, a stronghold for the military, defending our nation,” she said. “New Jersey has been the backdrop for it all.
The governor took pride in highlighted the cultural and technological advances that have taken place in the Garden State from the laser to the lightbulb and noted that the eyes of the world are on the state more than ever as the World Cup takes place in East Rutherford.
Sherrill a Navy veteran herself was in awe of the tall ships that came from “places as far away as Italy and India, Peru and Poland, Spain and Sweden” representing an “enduring symbol of friendship and cooperation.”
“It’s a joy to be here to celebrate with all of our allies and friends,” she said. “This week, millions will turn out again for another massive vote parade, united by a shared love of country, pride in our history and hope for the future.”
What did Rep. Frank Pallone say?
Pallone said that viewing the vessels reminded him of the voyages of discovery from centuries ago and how difficult it had to be especially without the navigational tools modern vessels use.
The congressman said that when speaking to the captain of a ship from India he found out they took more than 20 days to get here and that is a sign of the respect America’s allies and friends have for this event.
This isn’t the first time the region has played host to such a spectacle. There were similar sailing parades for the bicentennial in 1976, the centennial for the Statue of Liberty in 1986 and the millennium celebration in 2000.
Katie Sobko covers the New Jersey Statehouse. Email: sobko@northjersey.com
Pennsylvania
A rare albino bird was found in Pennsylvania. It was a
A bird that most people never see outside of pictures was found under a car in Pennsylvania, animal experts said.
The Raven Ridge Wildlife Center in Lancaster County said in a Facebook post on Friday that an albino cardinal was found under a car.
The nonprofit wildlife rehabilitation center in Washington Borough said it received a call from a woman who found a white bird under her car that appeared to be injured. The bird was also trying to drink water from beneath the vehicle. The post said that due to the dangerous heat wave, it has been admitting any distressed or unusually behaving animals for examinations.
When Raven Ridge Wildlife Center’s team arrived at the scene, they said they were “instantly taken aback.”
“Our eyes widened and our jaws dropped as we realized we were witnessing a rare occurrence that most people never see outside of pictures. This was a fledgling albino cardinal,” the Facebook post said.
The chances of seeing an albino cardinal are “extremely low,” the center said, adding that albino cardinals are considered one of the rarest bird sightings. Estimates suggest that seeing any cardinal displaying white feathers is about 1 in 30,000, the center said.
“True albino cardinals, which lack all pigmentation, are even rarer,” the center said.
What is the albino cardinal?
The albino cardinal’s rarity is due to a genetic mutation that causes a lack of melanin, resulting in its distinctive white plumage and reddish-pink eyes, officials said.
According to the center’s Facebook post, albino cardinals face “significant” survival challenges due to their “conspicuous coloration,” which makes it difficult to evade predators. The animal’s lack of melanin can also lead to poor vision.
Raven Ridge Wildlife Center rescued the bird, which will remain in captivity because its chances of surviving in the wild are “slim.”
“What an amazing opportunity for our team to see and care for this beautiful Cardinal,” the Facebook post concluded with.
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