Why was Donald Trump's bid to delay hush money trial on grounds of pre-trial publicity denied?

A judge has rejected former President Donald Trump’s request to postpone his upcoming hush money criminal trial, dismissing concerns over extensive pre-trial publicity. The decision comes as Trump prepares to face charges in a case that has captivated national attention, marking the first criminal trial of a former US president.

Judge Juan M Merchan, presiding over the case in Manhattan, addressed the defence’s plea to delay the trial due to what they termed “exceptionally prejudicial” news coverage. The defence argued that the extensive media attention had biased the potential jury pool, making a fair trial in Manhattan impossible. They cited over 1,200 articles published about the case, which they claimed had unfairly demonised Trump.

Judge points to Trump’s role in publicity

Judge Merchan dismissed these concerns, noting that Trump “appears to take the position that his situation and this case are unique and that the pre-trial publicity will never subside. However, this view does not align with reality.”

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The judge emphasised that similar publicity had surrounded Trump’s previous legal battles, including two federal defamation trials and a state civil fraud trial. He wrote that the former president himself had contributed significantly to the media coverage through his public statements and social media activities.

“The situation Defendant finds himself in now is not new to him and at least in part, of his own doing,” Judge Merchan stated. He affirmed that the jury selection process would include thorough questioning to ensure all jurors remain fair and impartial.

The Manhattan District Attorney’s office, prosecuting the case, has argued that despite the publicity, it is feasible to assemble an impartial jury from Manhattan’s population of over one million. The prosecution also noted that Trump’s own comments had contributed to the heightened media coverage.

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Several other attempts to delay trial

Trump’s lawyers have made multiple attempts to delay the trial, including appeals arguing for a change in trial location due to prejudicial media coverage and potential bias in a predominantly Democratic Manhattan. These appeals were denied by individual appellate judges, with the matters now headed for further consideration by a panel of appellate judges.

In addition to pre-trial publicity concerns, Trump’s legal team has criticised the prosecution tactics in the case against former Trump Organisation finance chief Allen Weisselberg, accusing the Manhattan DA’s office of unethical practices. Judge Merchan responded to these allegations with concern, urging Trump’s lawyers to refrain from making unfounded accusations.

With inputs from agencies