New York: Ten days before he is due to enter the White House to start his second term as US President, Donald Trump experienced a bitter-sweet day on Friday.
The bad news – a US judge sentenced Trump over his criminal conviction in the hush money case involving porn star Stormy Daniels.
Trump was desperately trying to stop the sentencing before January 20, hoping to dismiss the case after he takes charge. The sentencing will place a judgment of guilt on his record and ensured that the Republican became the first-ever US President with a felony conviction.
The consolation, if at all, was that Trump will not go to jail or pay a fine ahead of his inauguration.
Trump was facing a jail sentence of up to four years.
However, Manhattan Judge Juan Merchan opted for a sentence that will help in sidestepping delicate constitutional issues. His verdict effectively ended the case.
The judge said he had to consider any aggravating factors before imposing a sentence.
However, legal protections for a President don’t have the power to erase a jury verdict, the judge stated.
