Judge Merchan has paused the sentencing in the so-called hush money case against Trump, and the pause might be extended:

New York prosecutors told the judge who presided over Donald Trump’s hush money trial on Tuesday that his sentencing should be postponed while the president-elect’s lawyers file further legal arguments asking the case be dismissed.

The proposal from Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s office would need to be signed off on by Judge Juan Merchan to become official. Merchan has agreed to previous requests from prosecutors seeking delays.

Prosecutors said they would challenge Trump’s efforts to dismiss the case, but agreed they’re in uncharted territory when it comes to sentencing a president, and acknowledged that his sentencing might need to take place after his term in office.

Yeah, right. They’ve been in uncharted territory the entire time, trying the leading GOP candidate for the presidency before a biased court shortly before the election, on ridiculous charges that are truly “unprecedented” (an overworked word but correct in this instance). The goal was to influence the electorate against him. Perhaps they should be found guilty of malicious prosecution:

A malicious prosecution occurs when a police officer or other government official causes criminal charges to be filed against a person when the official knows probable cause is lacking and the charges are filed because of personal animosity, bias, or some other reason outside the interests of justice. In such cases, the victim’s Fourteenth Amendment “right to liberty” has been violated.

It’s a very hard charge to prove, and it’s a tort rather than a criminal charge. I have no idea whether it would apply to a case like this – perhaps prosecutors are immune? – but something should apply, the offense is so egregious.

Also – why are the prosecutors not just dropping the case? Are they arguing amongst themselves as to what to do? Trying to figure out how he could have a prison White House? Or just embarrassed at this point? Do they ever feel that emotion? I doubt it.

Also:

“Given the need to balance competing constitutional interests, consideration must be given to various non-dismissal options that may address any concerns raised by the pendency of a post-trial criminal proceeding during the presidency, such as deferral of all remaining criminal proceedings until after the end of Defendant’s upcoming presidential term,” the filing says.

The other thing is – unless I’m mistaken, the case can’t be appealed on the merits until they sentence Trump, although there are some procedural grounds for appeal based on the fact that the case wasn’t held in a federal court. So Merchan and the prosecutors may be leaving it dangling because they know they’d lose an appeal with such a terrible case. I’m not sure whether or not my legal reasoning is correct there, but here’s more on the legal issues.

Also, it seems to me that a pause of this nature would violate aspects of a defendant’s right to a speedy trial. Has sentencing ever been delayed for four years, when the trial is otherwise complete?