Donald Trump pleads not guilty to 34 felony charges during a court hearing in New York
MANHATTAN NEWYORK: The former 45th US president Donald Trump pleaded not guilty after being accused of 34 felony counts, including falsifying business records in Manhattan Criminal Court in New York on Tuesday April, 4. Trump was arraigned for charges related to hush money payment made to adult film star Stormy Daniels.
After voting last Thursday to indict him in connection with six-figure hush money payments made in the run-up to the 2016 election, a grand jury convened by Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg made Trump the first former president of the United States to ever be charged with a felony. He entered a "not guilty" plea to all 34 counts against him before Judge Juan Merchan soon after 2.40 pm.
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34-Count E Felony Indictment of Former President Donald J Trump
Trump’s attorney, Joe Tacopina, had already said he will enter a “not guilty” plea when his historic hearing gets underway as per NY Post. However, Judge Juan Merchan decided that a few photographers might record the proceedings, despite Trump's attorneys' plea for a complete camera ban.
District Attorney Bragg Announced 34-Count E class Felony Indictment of Former President Donald J Trump in a press release. It further sates, "with intent to defraud and intent to commit another crime and aid and conceal the commission thereof, made and caused a false entry in the business records of an enterprise"
District Attorney Brag said, "The People of the State of New York allege that Donald J Trump repeatedly and fraudulently falsified New York business records to conceal crimes that hid damaging information from the voting public during the 2016 presidential election."
The E class felonies are the lowest category of felony offence in New York
As per the press release, between 2015-2017, Trump orchestrated his “catch and kill” scheme through a series of payments that he then concealed through months of false business entries. "In one instance, American Media Inc. (“AMI”), paid $30,000 to a former Trump Tower doorman, who claimed to have a story about a child Trump had out of wedlock." It mentioned, "In a second instance, AMI paid $150,000 to a woman who alleged she had a sexual relationship with TRUMP." Aslo, "In a third instance – 12 days before the presidential general election – the Special Counsel wired $130,000 to an attorney for an adult film actress."
It states, after winning the elections, Trump reinmuursed the Special Counsel through a series of monthly checks. "In total, 11 checks were issued for a phony purpose. Nine of those checks were signed by Trump...In total, 34 false entries were made in New York business records to conceal the initial covert $130,000 payment." The E class felonies are the lowest category of felony offence in New York and carries a maximum sentence of four years per count.
The former president's finger prints were reportedly obtained, however no handcuffs were placed on him. But its still unclear if a mugshot was taken as his lawyers avoided answering these questions. As his motorcade moved toward the courtroom, Trump was seen waving his fist at the crowd. He even lambasted the attorney and expressed shock on social media while on way to the court house. Trump's arraignment lasted 57 minutes, before he left the Manhattan court room avoiding press, to head back to Florida.
No gag order placed on Trump
Although the judge did not impose a gag order on Donald Trump, but warned that the matter will be brought up again if the former president kept up his vehement argumentation as per BBC. Trump, his attorneys, other parties, and witnesses would not have been permitted to discuss the case in public if there had been a gag order in place.
'Rule of law died in this country'
Joe Tacopina, one of the Trump's lawyers told news men, unsealing of the indictment showed "that the rule of law died in this country. While everyone is not above the law, no one is below it either. And if this man's name was not Donald J Trump, there is no scenario we'd all be here today."